The Blessed Marie Eugene OCDS community, born 6 years ago at Boars Hill, Oxford, England, when the St Elijah community of the same place had grown too large and five members had felt ready and inspired to leave to form a new community, was officially Canonically established on 4 March 2023. The ceremony was celebrated by Fr Matthew Blake OCD Provincial Delegate to the Discalced Carmelite Secular Order and concelebrated by several Friars from the Boars Hill community and attended by our National President Annette Goulden, our Regional representative Cyprian Blamires, and remotely online. Joyful celebrations and lunch followed this very special event with a walk to the Priory’s gate to symbolise a new path for our community. Our bags are packed!
And two weeks later, on Laetere Sunday, Rt. Rev. Philip Egan Bishop of Portsmouth, came to visit our leader’s parish of the St John the Evangelist in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, and was surprised to be presented with a copy of the certificate with his own name on it and signed on 25 December 2022 by our Superior General, Fr. Miguel Marquez, OCD and Fr Ramiro Casale, OCD, General Delegate of the OCDS.
