On March 25, 2023 a culmination of hard work; discernment; upset and prayer came to a conclusion. My priestly ordination occurred on this momentous day. To share my anniversary on ‘Lady Day’ is a privilege and very meaningful! I travelled to this day with many twists and turns.
My process started officially in 2012, and after many long intense paths I was going to be priested in Fall until a virus didn’t seem to want to “go away”. No one comes prepared for the path that I was about to trek on.
In October, Bishop Sandra Fyfe and I would meet and discuss a possible ordination of late November, only for the next day to receive a diagnosis no one ever wants to hear, “You have AML” said the Doctor. Acute Myeloid Leukemia was the diagnosis along with, “I have made arrangements for you to be admitted tomorrow” added the Doctor. His remorse in his tone felt as though he was serving me a death sentence. One I was not wanting to accept as fact without a fight.
It wasn’t long before I shared my diagnosis publicly and put a cry out for prayer. Having seen the miracle act of prayers powerfully impact my husband’s life with his own journey with Cancer, I knew I might have a chance.
The days following my diagnosis, intense chemotherapy commenced, ‘Induction’. I was hospitalized for approximately twenty-one days. During my time I leaned into prayer and spiritual grounding. I posted a daily blog with specific prayer needs, listened to my “Hospital” play list which initially embraced Mariology. When I was able, I would head to the Chapel and listen to an app, “Pray As You Go”, followed by some intense cries in prayer.
My ordination was postponed, and I eventually came to the conclusion that it will happen when it’s supposed to happen much like many of the milestones while one is discerning, while attending seminary.
Treatment continued over the span of a week every twenty-eight to thirty-five days. Yet again, the treatment tested my mind, body and spirit. I had to endure four cycles of what seemed like a test of my body’s ability to survive. God certainly has created a mysterious system, the human body.
During one of my visits to Chapel in December of 2022, I was listening to “Pray As you Go” and “Gabriel’s Message” which was sung, it infused every fiber of my being. Having had researched and preached in seminary about the Annunciation, I was compelled to wonder what The Spirit had been saying to me for the last two years? It finally came about, that I would share this commemorative day with Mary, ‘Lady Day’ would become the date of my ordination and I am very blessed to share the anniversary of my priestly ordination on this Holy of Days.
Once the date was set, I knew the disease was not going to win! My medical team had/has been incredibly supportive of my journey. My Hematologist has been exceptionally perplexed at my recovery as most rounds I had a rapid recovery, and I was her first patient to not be re-hospitalized in between rounds of treatment. I would credit this to prayer, the doctor accredited it to, “it’s something”. She had no other words than that!
I’m incredibly thankful for the prayer support from around the world, these supporters were not just Anglicans, but many from different faiths and denominations and some were of no faith but had been rediscovering or discovering it through my journey.
The day has come, and I am now a priest, one who does not only prescribe prayer but can attest to the miracles, the healing and the peace it can bring. Thank-you to all who have been supporting me in my journey to the priesthood and more recently through my journey with Cancer.
Peace,
Rev. Dawn-Lea Greer,
Rector of the Parish of Bridgetown.
