PRIESTS were celebrated at St John's Cathedral for their total of 535 years service to God. 

On September 13, following the Queen's death, the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth celebrated a jubilarian mass, to mark the jubilees of ordination, led by Bishop Philip Egan for priests who have devoted themselves to the Priesthood, both in the UK and some abroad. 

The jubilarians who are or were previously based in Basingstoke are:

Reverend Patrick Tansey, who celebrates 50 years of ordination has served in Guernsey, Windsor Totton, near Southampton, Faringdon, and Buckland in Oxfordshire and, to date, Tadley with Kingsclere and Burghfield Common.

Reverend Anthony Pennicott who celebrates 50 Years of ordination before retirement, served in Basingstoke, Reading, Havant & Emsworth, Reading Tadley & Kingsclere, Bournemouth and Fordingbridge & Ringwood.

READ MORE: Tributes to the Queen: Readers pay their respects in our book of condolence

Bishop Philip said: “My prayers and congratulations go to this cohort of Priests, who have made this personal commitment and sacrifice on accepting a life of Vocation. The obstacles that each of them has faced in their vocational journeys are an example to us all of resilience and perseverance. Ad multos annos! May they be blessed to see many more years to celebrate the Liturgy in all its many aspects!”