Monday, the twenty-first of May marked the thirteenth
anniversary of my Ordination to the Priesthood. Over the
years people have commented to me from time-to-time
about how much one gives up to be a priest. Sometimes
they are referring to job or career opportunities, but usually
they are talking about marriage. This is rather amusing to
me because as I see it my experience in the “working
world” both on Capital Hill and in the field of education, is a
large part of what led me to the Priesthood. With regard to
marriage, I’ve never been married, so how could I give up
something I never had. (There was certainly no guarantee
that had I not entered the Priesthood that I would have
gotten married).
From my point of view I would have given up so much if I
had not become a Priest. From the very lowest point of
view, I do not have to worry about rent or food – room and
board is provided for me. More seriously, as I used to like
to attend Mass everyday, I now offer Mass everyday. As
God’s instrument in the Sacrament of Reconciliation I can
actually forgive sin, and there have been so many times
when He used me to reconcile someone who had been
away from the Sacraments for decades. In such situations
I usually tell the person, as they leave the confessional,
“Welcome home.” And, inevitably there is a tear-choked
reply, “Thank you Father, it’s good to be back.”
Although I have no biological children of my own, there
are the countless babies that I have baptized, not to
mention the many little ones I walk through the Sacrament
of Confession for the first time. There are teens that have
come to me with problems to help them find the answer.
(They usually already know it). And, the many, many fine
young men who have served at the altar with me. Although
it has only been 13 years that I have been a Priest, a
number of “my” former altar boys are now in the seminary.
I don’t take credit for their vocations, but am very happy
that I did not hinder them.
As a Priest I enter so many people’s lives in a very
intimate way, quite literally from birth to death. It is very
humbling to bring peace to the dying and comfort to the
mourning.
I have sacrificed nothing, but on the contrary have gained
so much more than I could ever imagine in becoming a
Priest.
My thanks go out to all who have expressed
congratulations to me on the anniversary of my Ordination,
as well as to all who continue to hold me up in their prayers
and, in so doing assist me in doing the work of God. May
our dear Lord bless you all.