Priests
By Liz Wiskowski
A reminder: This is still the year for priests. We still can earn indulgences. On each first Thursday of the month, and on the final day of the year for priests, June 19th, 2010, a plenary indulgence is granted to all faithful who are truly repentant, go to confession, Mass and communion, and pray to Jesus for our priests.
A partial indulgence is granted to all faithful every time they recite five Our Fathers, Hail Mary’s, and Glory Be prayers in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to obtain that priests be preserved in purity and holiness.
All priests need our prayers and our encouragement, not our criticism, even if we don’t always agree with them. They all have special talents, strengths, and abilities. But like all of us, they get tired and discouraged. Our prayers can help them.
Think of how many priests are involved in our life journey. A priest baptized us, bringing us into the faith. They bring us peace and forgiveness in the sacrament of penance. They teach our children, anoint and bless the dying. Above all, they give us the Mass and the Eucharist.
Priests guide us, counsel us, preach the word of God, comfort and console us. The Fate of many of us, the salvation of our souls, is connected to the interest, the care, and the example of our priests.
Don’t expect perfection. Priests are special people, chosen by God, but they are human and not infallible. We need many more priests. So, pray for vocations and thank God for those we have and God will someday tell you – “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”