What a grace-filled event it was to be able to join so many others to celebrate Chrism Mass at St. Simon and Jude Cathedral last evening. In union with Bishop Olmstead and Auxiliary Bishop Navarres, all the priests of the diocese gathered to renew their vows at the altar. What a moving moment this was, especially as a member of the Discalced Carmelite order whose primary focus is to pray for priests and souls, to see such an affirmation of priestly dedication and recommitment to their vocation.
Now is the time when our priests need our prayers more than ever. In the face of many challenges and temptations in the secular and political realms, priests need a double portion of courage and fortitude from the Holy Spirit. Bishop Olmstead reminded them that their primary focuses must be on prayer and the healing sacrament of Confession. This is true for themselves and their flocks. It is tempting in all of our lives to only engage in action and be 'productive' in the eyes of the world. Yet we know that as soon as we falter in our daily prayer life, we begin to see the many limitations of our well conceived ideas and plans. We can do nothing without Our Lord, and we are limited in discernment if we do not have that quiet time to meditate and be in communion with Our loving God. Even if His presence seems elusive to us, He is with us and leads and guides us when we make ourselves available.
We know that priests must lead their flocks first by example. What a blessing that we have so many holy priests in our midst. For those who are not living up to their priestly vocation or have fallen (as all humans do), we join with St. Therese in our dedication to, "We pray, we suffer for them..., do you understand the cry of my heart? -Convent letter, cited by Cardinal Cordes, in Why Priests? pg 55.
As Discalced Carmelites we are to be spiritual brothers and sister, mothers and fathers to our brother priests. We are not called to criticize, but instead to sacrifice for them, to encourage them, and pray for them. How many graces and blessings have come to me through the hands of the priests! Most especially in the Most Holy Eucharist and absolution in the confessional. Where would I be in relation to Our Lord without them?
Let us join together in prayer for our priests, that this Holy Week and Easter may be a time of renewal in mind, body, soul, and spirit for them. We pray that they may imitate the life of Our Lord, the Eternal High Priest, and that of Our Lady, exemplar of holiness, prayer, and humility. Let us ask that the healing oils of chrism be experienced by all the new members of our Church, the ill and the dying. Let us pray that we can receive the spiritual graces of this healing oil that we may have purity of heart. Amen.
Prayer for Priests
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Place your priests within the chamber
Of your Most Sacred Heart
Where they may hear the palpitations
Of your divine love,
And operate solely in union
With your divine heartbeats
May they give their fiat to your call
to love without counting the cost.
May they recognize
Your divine will and carry it out.
May they be covered in your Most Precious Blood
Within the confines of your heart in protection and provision.
May they be consumed in the sweetness of your Eucharistic heart,
So that your heart may replace theirs, and
They may become more perfectly our shepherds of divine love,
Leading their flock in truth and light, and
Feeding them with your pure spiritual milk.
Amen.
