What Can I do for a Priest?
So what’s it like to be in a van with four priests at the same time? Interesting? Informative? Inspiring? They weren’t just any priests. Because of their appearances on EWTN and other apostolic work, they were nationally recognized. They represented a variety of orders and one was a diocesan priest. They had all written books that were published or were going to be published soon. They were coming into town to give talks at a Mercy Conference. Their paths may or may not have crossed before and may or may not cross again. In addition to the priests, my husband and I were also transporting a layman, who was apostolically active in spreading Sr. Faustina’s message of Christ’s mercy.
It was a short drive to and from the evening program, so there was not much time for an in depth discussion. I don’t have one of those razor sharp memories, but then again, the conversation wasn’t particularly earth shattering. The atmosphere or mood, however, was memorable. In my whole life—I’m not revealing how many years—I rarely recall experiencing such peace of soul and joy. It seemed to emanate from these holy, yet very humble men.
They were tired. They had all had a long and busy day traveling. Some were experiencing physical pain, yet by their demeanor you would have never known. There was a twinkle in their eyes, a tranquility of spirit, and a genuine concern for others. It was a little bit of heaven on earth, a foretaste of the life yet to come. It was a microcosm of joy challenging me to bring the same level of peace and joy into my own home.
It was also a visible reminder that we are all continuously called to pray for our priests if we want to be blessed by their holy presence. Speaking for myself here, I am reminded on a daily basis of the many needs for prayer: A friend has cancer, a relative no longer goes to church, and still another friend has lost a job.
In fulfilling my role as mother, too easily I am caught up in my own little world of preparing meals, going grocery shopping, washing laundry, shuttling children to lessons and activities, etc. While I am busy with my tasks and remembering the requests and needs of others, I need to also pray for our priests, all our priests, the ones who are less than perfect, the ones who thwart my wishes, and the holy priests, lifting them up in prayer, so that they may in turn lift others up in prayer, especially during the Eucharistic celebration.
In addition to praying for our priests, consider fasting for them. On October 23, 2010 is the fifth annual international fast for priests. While most people associate fasting with food, fasting can include many different forms: television, radio, idle talk, and other things.
http://eucharisticadorationforpriests.blogspot.com/2010/10/laity-asked-to-fast-for-priests-on.html [1]
Thank you Heavenly Father for your gifts of grace, to experience a bit of peace and joy here and now. May I in turn bring that peace and joy to others.
This article originally appeared on
Catholic Exchange
It was a short drive to and from the evening program, so there was not much time for an in depth discussion. I don’t have one of those razor sharp memories, but then again, the conversation wasn’t particularly earth shattering. The atmosphere or mood, however, was memorable. In my whole life—I’m not revealing how many years—I rarely recall experiencing such peace of soul and joy. It seemed to emanate from these holy, yet very humble men.
They were tired. They had all had a long and busy day traveling. Some were experiencing physical pain, yet by their demeanor you would have never known. There was a twinkle in their eyes, a tranquility of spirit, and a genuine concern for others. It was a little bit of heaven on earth, a foretaste of the life yet to come. It was a microcosm of joy challenging me to bring the same level of peace and joy into my own home.
It was also a visible reminder that we are all continuously called to pray for our priests if we want to be blessed by their holy presence. Speaking for myself here, I am reminded on a daily basis of the many needs for prayer: A friend has cancer, a relative no longer goes to church, and still another friend has lost a job.
In fulfilling my role as mother, too easily I am caught up in my own little world of preparing meals, going grocery shopping, washing laundry, shuttling children to lessons and activities, etc. While I am busy with my tasks and remembering the requests and needs of others, I need to also pray for our priests, all our priests, the ones who are less than perfect, the ones who thwart my wishes, and the holy priests, lifting them up in prayer, so that they may in turn lift others up in prayer, especially during the Eucharistic celebration.
In addition to praying for our priests, consider fasting for them. On October 23, 2010 is the fifth annual international fast for priests. While most people associate fasting with food, fasting can include many different forms: television, radio, idle talk, and other things.
http://eucharisticadorationforpriests.blogspot.com/2010/10/laity-asked-to-fast-for-priests-on.html [1]
Thank you Heavenly Father for your gifts of grace, to experience a bit of peace and joy here and now. May I in turn bring that peace and joy to others.
This article originally appeared on
"Why Praying Is More Important than Eating"
by Peter Kreeft.
by Fr. Dwight Longenecker, OSV, 2008, hc, 159 pp.
by Sister patricia Proctor, OSC, Franciscan Monastery of Saint Clare, 2003, pbk, 215 pp. plus appendices.