On Sunday 4th August is the ‘Day of the Diocesan Clergy’ i.e Priest’s Day. The Saint who immediately comes to mind is St. Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney. He was born in France on 8th May 1786. Ordained to Priesthood on 13th August 1815, he spent his life speaking of God, hearing confessions and guiding souls to Holiness. Because of his desire to save souls, he endured 12 to 17 hours a day in the Confessional and could often tell a persons’ sins even when they were withheld. On 2nd August 1859, Fr. Marie Vianney received Holy Communion and extreme unction from his own Curate in simplicity and joy. He came face to face with Jesus on 4th August 1859 after living a life of remarkable spiritual strength, humility, gentleness and patience. On the feast of Pentecost on 31st May 1925 Pope Pius XI enrolled him among the saints and on 23rd April 1928 declared Fr. Jean Marie Vianney ‘Patron of Parish Priests world-wide’. On Sunday 4th August, as we celebrate ‘Priests Day’ let us lift up in a special way in prayer, our own newly appointed Parish Priest Fr. Agnelo Rodrigues and Asst. Parish Priest Fr. Josely Rocha, together with the priests in Goa, in India and in the World. Let us not limit our prayers to this one day. Here below are a few quotes of St. Vianney about Priesthood and Priests: 1) “Priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus, when you see a priest, think of our Lord Jesus Christ”. 2) “The Priest has the key of the heavenly treasures; it is he who opens the door. He is the steward of the good God, the distribution of the wealth. Without the priest, the Death and Passion of our Lord Jesus would be of no avail. The first treasure to open is God’s Forgiveness to absolve people and make God present in the host.” 3) “A Priest is not a priest for himself. He does not give himself absolution; he does not administer the sacraments to himself. He is for you! After God, the Priest is everything!”4) “If I were to meet a priest and an angel, I should salute the Priest before I saluted the Angel”.
5) “Leave a Church 20 years without a Priest, they will worship beasts”.
Priesthood is the Power and Authority God gives to a man to act in all things necessary for the salvation of our souls. A priest is someone who stands before God and serves as a Mediator. It is a privileged position – to secure pardon and favour which an offender (sinner) must have, in order to have fellowship with God. By virtue of the Sacrament of Holy Orders, the Priest acts ‘in persona Christi Capitus’. Through the hands of the Priest, the very real presence of Jesus is brought to the people. Jesus Keeps His flock under His constant protection through the Priests, No Priests – No Eucharist – No Sacraments! The basic work of a Priest is to proclaim God’s Word. Those who think priests don’t do anything, it is not so. In addition to handling tasks relating to the day – to – day operations of the parish, a priest has to first set aside a part of each day for prayer, in order to share the fruits of his prayer in homilies during Mass and other services. A priest has to spend time preparing for and performing the Sacraments – organize Catechism classes for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation; Counseling for marriages, words of consolation for the sick and for funerals. Priesthood is a special way of Serving God’s people, by being able to be – born ‘Brother’ and more importantly ‘Father’ to everyone. The Christian Church is a Kingdom of Priests. Let us pray for Holy and faithful Priests, to dedicate their life for the people with generosity and sacrifices – unseen and unknown. Let us support Priests with our love and daily prayers that they may always be shepherds after Christ’s Heart.
J. Rodrigues