Church Tours: Part 4

Star of the Valley, Santa Rosa, CA

"If the Priest knew his dignity he would die of joy."
- St. John Vianney -

​Our novices continue their reflections on the Eucharist and the priesthood each Thursday in August in light of their recent pilgrimage to many of the churches in our diocese.

The Dignity of The Sacred Priesthood

When we pray to our blessed Lord we may often consider Him as an infant in the stable of Bethlehem, as a youth working next to St. Joseph in their carpentry workshop, or in His adult life instructing His Apostles and performing many miracles. We may pray to Jesus The Good Shepherd, contemplate His Divine Mercy in His Most Sacred Heart, but perhaps a truth we have not yet considered is that Our Lord Jesus Christ is The Eternal High Priest. Our Lord is a Priest forever, and has called many other men to join Him and to partake in His Sacred Priesthood. ​

Resurrection, Santa Rosa, CA

"So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, 'You are my Son, today I have begotten you'; as he says also in another place, 'You are a priest for ever, according to the order of Melchizedek."' Hebrews 5:5-6

On our church tour we were blessed to meet and speak to priests we had not yet met in our diocese. As we went from church to church, we quickly came to realize that many of our priests have assignments that require driving long distances of an hour or more to minister to the faithful in remote areas. The priests may be assigned to various mission churches in addition to their parish. This reality made an impression on us novices, and we came to the conclusion that we must pray more fervently for our priests.

Without the priest, I am unable to pray to Our Lord Jesus Christ fully present in the Blessed Sacrament, nor can I receive Him intimately in Holy Communion. Without the priest I cannot hear the most consoling words, “Your sins are forgiven” (Mt 9:2). The priest was present to me as an infant in Baptism, has guided me all throughout my life, and I pray that he be there in my last hour. Our Lord makes Himself present to you and I through His priests. Our lives as Catholics cease to be without the priest. ​

​Will you join us in praying for priests? After all, priests are human beings too. Their sacred call contains the most sublime dignity and responsibility. Our Lord wants to provide all the graces necessary, but He asks that we assist Him and His priests! Let’s cover them in prayer as they are sent as “sheep in the midst of wolves" (Mt 10:16).

​Let us imitate Our Lady’s love for priests by extending our charity and hospitality to the priests in our life. Perhaps the Holy Spirit will inspire you to "spiritually adopt" certain priests by offering special prayers for them daily. Priests have sacrificed the great gift of family life; we are their family, and there are many ways we can show them our gratitude and kindness. One may consider offering a sacrifice for them on Thursdays in honor of Our Lord instituting the Sacred Priesthood on Holy Thursday. Our Sisters enjoy gifting handmade cards and homemade meals for priests, but most importantly we offer a holy hour every morning for them. Let us encourage one another to fervently support our priests and therefore to support Christ Himself!

Star of the Valley, Santa Rosa, CA

Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Priests, pray for us!