Rev. Gerard Martin Phillips at the Service of Ordination, June 10, 2025. Gerard was ordained deacon in June this year, along with Allison Agius, Tianna Gocan, Maya-Mele Okazaki, and Janet Ternes. They were all ordained priests in the Diocese of Huron on November 18, 2025. (Photo: Charlotte Poolton)
By Rev. Gerard Martin Phillips
ON TUESDAY, June 10, 2025, the night before my ordination to the diaconate, I felt a mix of excitement, nervousness, and peace. It was a day I had long anticipated — a moment that had lived in my heart for years.
That evening, at Holy Family Retreat Center in Oxley, I found myself surrounded by a calm that felt like a divine embrace. As we walked the Stations of the Cross, something extraordinary happened. Small, soft balls of fur were gently falling from the trees — not unlike snow — and they reminded me of blessings from above, signs of grace descending upon us. The quiet serenity of that moment seemed to whisper: everything will be alright.
The next morning, after saying goodbye and offering each other words of encouragement, I set out for the two-hour drive to London for the ordination rehearsal. I was almost in awe — not just of the day itself, but of the sacredness it carried. The drive became a space of reflection and prayer, a kind of personal pilgrimage, preparing my heart for what was to come.
Later that afternoon, as we gathered in the small courtyard outside St. James Westminster, Bishop Todd welcomed us with gentle wisdom. He reminded us that we might forget a detail from rehearsal — and that was okay. What mattered was simply to enter the moment, to be fully present in the liturgy.
That advice stayed with me throughout the evening. I did my best to truly listen to the homily, to absorb the words and enter the music that had been so carefully chosen for the occasion. There was a deep sense that this was not just a ceremony — it was a turning point, a moment of grace, and the beginning of a new way of life.
What made the evening even more meaningful was the presence of so many people who had been part of my journey. It was a joy to have family members — sisters, cousins — mentors, friends, and many congregants from All Saints’ Anglican there to witness and support this son of the soil. Each person, in their own way, offered congratulations and the reassurance of their prayers. Their presence spoke volumes — a quiet, powerful testimony to the truth that it takes a village to raise a person. In that sacred space, it felt as though the whole city — and even the world — was there with me, lifting me up in love and faith.
At the end of the evening, it was hard to contain the emotions I felt. There were official photos, people offering cards, warm words, and gentle hugs — each one saying, “You did it.” And still, I found myself asking, Was this really all for me?
It felt like everything had come together in a way only God could orchestrate. The hymns — “Here I Am, Lord,” “Gift of Finest Wheat,” and “Let Streams of Living Justice” — all fell into place, as though God was gently but clearly leading me into this new ministry of service. There was a deep sense of peace and joy, as if a huge weight had been lifted — and freedom had taken its place.
In that moment, I knew: after this anointing, God was sending me out — to be a deacon to God’s people, to proclaim the Good News, and to serve with love, humility, and joy.
Rev. Gerard Martin Phillips is Priest Assistant to the Rector of All Saints, Windsor.