We regret to inform you that our brother, Father Peter Coates, L.C., passed away in Monterrey (Mexico) on Monday, March 13th. We appreciate his dedication and service.
Below is a brief overview of his life and work. Rest in peace.
Father Peter Coates, L.C., was born in Newbridge, Ireland, on May 21, 1948. After high school, he entered the Legion candidate program at Belgard Castle, Dublin, in the summer of 1965. He entered the novitiate on September 29 of the same year and completed his first year of novitiate in Dublin. He then went to Woodmont, Connecticut, in the United States, for his second year and to accompany the first Americans who joined the Legion that year. There, he made his first profession on October 2, 1967, and stayed an additional year helping with the vocations tour.
Brother Peter Coates visiting the construction works of the Foxroc Novitiate
Brother Peter taking his first vows at the Woodmont Novitiate, Connecticut (USA)
He went to Salamanca to study humanities during the 1968-1969 course and to Rome to study philosophy starting in 1969. He obtained his philosophy license at the Gregorian University and his theology license at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas. During his studies in Rome, he served as an assistant to philosophers for three years and as an assistant to theologians for one year.
Brother Peter with his Theology community during his formation years in Rome
He was ordained a priest on December 24, 1976, at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Rome. At the end of that school year, he was sent to Monterrey, Mexico, where he served his ministry for 47 years in various apostolates: director of gentlemen (3 years), director of the Irish Institute (13 years) in two different periods, director of the ladies’ section (23 years), and chaplain of Cecvac (3 years).
Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Saint Philip the Martyr in Rome, Italy. Moments of Father Peter’s ordination
During that time in Monterrey, he was chaplain to some communities of consecrated persons and promoted the construction of the novitiate headquarters in Santiago, Nuevo León, the Formation Center for consecrated persons, and the Chipinque retreat center. At the same time, he participated in founding several schools and apostolates in the area.
Within his apostolic work, his leadership at the Irish International School in Monterrey stands out, serving two terms: from 1979 to 1985 and from 2008 to 2014. Generations of students, now parents, received a Christian formation that encouraged them to be agents of change.
Until his death, he served as chaplain of the CECVAC International School in Monterrey, in addition to being confessor and spiritual director for various communities of consecrated persons of Regnum Christi.
The Reverend Father Peter Coates, L.C., passed away on the afternoon of March 13 in the city of Monterrey, Mexico. He was 75 years old and had been a priest for 47 years. Father Peter was a member of the community of the Northern Mexico Territorial Directorate. He died due to health complications related to cancer.
A website has been set up to express condolences and share memories of Father Peter Coates, L.C.
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