God Bless Our Beloved Priests!

The priesthood is

the sublimest dignity
that God can confer on a human being.

-Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.

The Priest

Amidst the darkness in my world
A sign of hope
A light to light my way.

Humility exposed.
Ever listening to the pain of this human heart
Have I met Jesus?

Truth revealed.

The cross, the cross,
The weight of the cross.

A gentle man approaches
Offers a prayer
Lightens my load.

Ordinary hands.
What draws my attention
To his hands?

Hands that touch
Hands that heal
Hands that forgive and bless.

Sin melting away
Like the early snow of autumn
Kissed by the sun.

Was that Jesus passing by?

Too soon gone!
Come to the Table of Life
He beckons.

-Janet MacKinnon

Thank you to all our beloved priests around the world.
God is at work in you!

Be sure to pray for all priests.

Dear Lord,

we pray that the Blessed Mother
wrap her mantle around Your priests
and through her intercession
strengthen them for their ministry.
We pray that Mary will guide Your priests
to follow her own words,
“Do whatever He tells you” (Jn 2:5).
May Your priests have the heart of St. Joseph,
Mary’s most chaste spouse.
May the Blessed Mother’s own pierced heart
inspire them to embrace
all who suffer at the foot of the cross.
May Your priests be holy,
filled with the fire of Your love
seeking nothing but Your greater glory
and the salvation of souls.
Amen.

Saint John Vianney, pray for us.

-USCCB

Thank you for sharing your beautiful poem, Janet.

God is at work in you!
_____________
Sources:
"The Priest" by Janet MacKinnon. Used with permission.
Pictures copyright 2010 JKP.