Anthony E. Hodgetts C.Ss.R - At Home and Abroad

Dear Fr. Hodgetts C.Ss.R passed away in September 2008 may he Rest In Peace. We retain the reflections on his calling in tribute and thanksgiving for his great service to the Church.

The Redemptorists have been part of my life since aged four. I entered primary school in the parish of Erdington, Birmingham. The priests and brothers in the former Benedictine Abbey opposite my home were close family friends. It seemed quite natural, when I was drawn to priesthood, to try my fortune with them, so straight after "A" levels at King Edward's school; I went to the Noviciate in Scotland. I then returned to the midlands for seven years of preparation and study and was ordained in January 1963.

The Redemptorist family of priests and brothers exists to bring Plentiful Redemption throughout the world, especially to the poor and needy. I am fortunate to have spent fifteen years in Rome, studying and living with men from very different backgrounds and cultures, from all five continents, and hearing them speak passionately of Redemptorist life in half the nations of the world. Three of these years coincided with the Second Vatican Council when new ways of reaching out to God's people and preaching his wonderful works to all mankind were discussed by the bishops of the entire Church

One of the new ways chosen was to integrate the training of priests with the university life of each nation, to ensure that diocesan priests and those from religious congregations should be thoroughly prepared to meet the needy and un-churched in any situation. Not long afterwards the London Province of the Congregation moved its students to Kent. In Canterbury they learned their trade with the Franciscans and secular students at U.K.C. After six years as a parish Missioner, sometimes working with other churches in joint outreach - another way recommended at Vatican II, I rejoined them.

Ecumenism, and the training of students for the priesthood continued to be important throughout the 1980's and 90's. After Canterbury, and three years in Bishop Eton, our Liverpool Parish, I spent five years as Pastoral Director and teaching the Scriptures at the Pontifical Beda College in Rome. This deepened my understanding of the worldwide church. The students were all mature men. They came from every part of the english speaking world and from many walks of life. Some were formerly clergy in other churches; some were widowers; some were already members of religious orders, including our Redemptorist Congregation. All had sensed that God was calling them to his service. I learned much from them.

In Rome I was able to meet and talk with men and women who were committed to bringing the Churches back to unity. When I returned to England in 1995, I was asked by the church leaders on Merseyside to be their ecumenical officer working full time with local groups of churches to help them come closer together, in prayer, work and study. Archbishop Worlock, Bishop Sheppard, and Free Church leaders, John Newton (Methodist) and keith Hobbs (Baptist) set a pattern that influenced and encouraged Christians far beyond Merseyside to try to put aside ancient differences and realize how much they have in common.

These years were followed by another amazing five year posting to Rome, spent first as English chaplain and Director of our famous Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour in our church of Saint Alphonsus in Via Merulana, and then in administration in the general house of the Redemptorists next door. Ill health suggested I return to the UK in 2004. I am now able to assist again in our Liverpool Parish, and write for our flourishing Publications House, which is in Jane Austin's home village of Chawton, Hampshire. Writing of which reminds me that my own childhood home in Erdington is now a Redemptorist community house. God's ways are strange and marvelous indeed!

Anthony E. Hodgetts C.Ss.R.