“…if there be anyone who, by his very mode of life and vocation, seems called to a life of identification with Christ, it is certainly the priest. Exteriorly his life is that of Jesus Christ. Are not all his official functions, the Mass, the administration of the Sacraments, the prayers of the liturgy – the essence of a life lived in Christ’s Name?
Every priest faithful to his vocation will readily admit this. Then why should he not aspire to conform his interior to his exterior life? Why not desire with all his soul to put on Jesus Christ as fully as possible, to be Christ “within,” to become, as we said before, like the Host which each morning he transforms into Jesus Christ? Such a form of spirituality is bound to appeal strongly to him, since it sums up the whole life as a process of transformation into Christ by identification to Him. This would seem to be the very form of spiritual life most befitting the priestly soul.”
Paul De Jaegher, SJ
One with Jesus (1929)
First American printing 1946
A VERY BEAUTIFUL REFLECTION ON THE DIGNITY AND SACREDNESS OF THE PRIESTHOOD. I TRY TO REMEMBER EACH DAY TO PRAY FOR OUR PRIESTS. I THINK IT WOULD BE A NICE THING TO DO AMONGST THE CATHOLIC FAITHFUL TO HAVE A DAY SET ASIDE TO HONOR OUR PRIESTS. I KNOW THAT PROSTESTANTS HAVE A "PASTORS APPRECIATION DAY" I HAVE FOUND GREETING CARDS THAT ONE CAN GIVE TO THEIR MINISTER THAT CONVEYS ONES APPRECIATION FOR ALL THEY DO. OUR PRIESTS I BELIEVE NEED TO HEAR THAT FROM US AS WELL.
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU FOR THIS POSTING AND HAVE A BLESSED DAY. JOHN K.
Like your ideas - hope many will implement them!
ReplyDeleteAbundant blessings to you, John...