WHAT IS A PRIEST?
By Servant of God, Catherine Doherty – foundress of Madonna House, Combermere, Ontario, Canada
A PRIEST is a lover of God,
a priest is a lover of men,
a priest is a holy man
because he walks before the face of the All-Holy.
A priest understands all things,
a priest forgives all things,
a priest encompasses all things.
The heart of a priest is pierced, like Christ’s
with the lance of love.
The heart of a priest is open, like Christ’s
for the whole world to walk through.
The heart of a priest is a vessel of compassion,
the heart of a priest is a chalice of love,
the heart of a priest is the trysting place
of human and divine love.
A priest is a man whose goal is to be another Christ;
a priest is a man who lives to serve.
A priest is a man who has crucified himself
so that he too may be lifted up
and draw all things to Christ.
A priest is a man in love with God.
A priest is the gift of God to man
and of man to God.
A priest is the symbol of the word made flesh,
a priest is the naked sword of God’s justice,
a priest is the hand of God’s mercy,
a priest is the reflection of God’s love.
Nothing can be greater in this world than
a priest
Nothing but God Himself.
LET US PRAY:
Prayer for Priests by Pope Benedict XVI
Lord Jesus Christ, eternal High Priest,
You offered Yourself to the Father
on the altar of the Cross
and through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit
gave Your priestly people
a share in Your redeeming sacrifice.
Hear our prayer for the sanctification
of our priests.
Grant that all who are ordained
to the ministerial priesthood
may be ever more conformed to You,
the divine Master.
May they preach the Gospel
with pure heart and clear conscience.
Let them be shepherds according to Your own Heart,
single-minded in service to You and to the Church
and shining examples of a holy, simple and joyful life.
Through the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
your Mother and ours,
draw all priests and the flocks entrusted to their care
to the fullness of eternal life where You live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen
AnaStpaul 