Thou Art a Priest Forever

This morning all the priests of the Archdiocese of Miami gathered at St. Mary's Cathedral to renew the promises they made at their ordination to teach and to sanctify.  I had a perch behind all of my brother priests as I was broadcasting the Mass on Radio Paz and joined them in renewing our promises.  As I gazed over my brothers, I asked the radio audience to pray for their priests, for those who serve in their parishes, for those who have anointed them, absolved them, rejoiced with them, and consoled them.  Our Holy Father said in an interview before he was elected that priests have a heavy cross to carry, a cross that is different from the one of the laity.  So this Holy Week, and particularly on Holy Thursday when we celebrate the Institution of the Priesthood, pray for your priests.  We need your prayers.  We feel your prayers and are sustained by them.  It is indeed an extraordinary life to be a priest of Jesus Christ!

Thou Art A Priest Forever
 

To live in the midst of the world,
Without wishing its pleasures; 

To be a member of each family, 

Yet belonging to none; 

To share all sufferings;
To penetrate all secrets; 

To heal all wounds;
To go from men to God
And offer Him their Prayers;
To return from God to men
To bring pardon and hope;
To have a heart of fire for charity
And a heart of bronze for chastity;
To teach and to pardon,
Console and bless always--
What a glorious life!
And it is yours,
O Priest of Jesus Christ!
                                                             --Author Unknown