Joseph Lee Hooker: "Our Priests" Shows Solidarity and Support for the Priesthood

Joseph Lee Hooker sings the headline single from his 2009 "Our Priests" album, which has garnered accolades from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Pope Benedict XVI himself.

Hooker, a devout Catholic and shockingly, a documented abuse victim of the priest scandal first revealed in the late 90's in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, felt a compulsion to show solidarity and support for the priesthood and its countless members who strive to eradicate the current stigma of abuse and scandal.

"I've known so many priests in my life who have helped and supported me in my struggles and my faith," Hooker said. "Those priests, the true shepherds, help to heal and erase the damage done by others." The artist's response was to create this inspirational work that calls priests to a higher standard and has received an apostolic blessing from the pope.



 

Lyrics:

In this world of darkness, still there shines a light
Standing with God's people to show them what is right
They carry on the wisdom that God has handed down
They are truly diamonds in our Savior's crown

Our priests, they are treasures
Their hands, our saving grace
Instruments of God, they must never be disgraced
Our priests

The world calls and taunts them, yet they firmly stand
Bringing light to darkness at the Lord's command
Serving Bread of Angels to the hungry lambs
Their voice of truth will lead us to the Promised Land

Eyes upon the Saviour, guided by their vow
Strongly must they shepherd, yet humbly must they bow
Shining light from heaven, teaching truth sublime
Reaching for perfection, touching the divine

Our priests, our saving grace, our priests
Never be disgraced, our priests, our saving grace

Copyright 2009, 2010 Joseph Lee Hooker
Published by: Come Alive Communications, Inc., ASCAP
All world rights reserved.
Come Alive Music - "The Melody of Inspiration"

 

Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, Mother of all priests and our Mother, help us respond generously to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of His Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests. Amen.

3-Year-Old Samuel Jaramillo "Celebrates" Mass and Wants to Be a Priest

A three-year-old Colombian boy has garnered attention across the internet for a video in which he dons priestly garments and “celebrates” Mass, reciting the liturgy from memory...

 

His relatives told reporters that last Christmas, Jaramillo did not ask for toys like most kids his age. Instead, he wanted “priest’s clothes” and the objects necessary to “celebrate” Mass.

 

He has learned to recite the Mass from memory with the corresponding pauses, intonations and gestures of an experienced priest...

 

In an interview with RCN television, Jaramillo said he wants to be a priest when he grows up.

 

~ Excerpts from here. ~

 

 

Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, Mother of all priests and our Mother, help us respond generously to to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of His Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests.  Amen.

Tribute to Pope Benedict XVI

In response to our beloved Holy Father's Feb. 11, 2013 announcement of his resignation, the Sisters created this tribute to Pope Benedict XVI.
 

~ The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist ~

 



Future Pope Francis on Holy Eucharist, Priesthood, Vocations to the Priesthood

"In the last Supper we have been born as priests.  There isn't the Eucharist without the priesthood and the priesthood doesn't exist without the Eucharist.  Only the priest who has received the Sacrament of Holy Orders can validly celebrate the Eucharist, because there is something mysterious there.

 

"The Eucharist isn't a reunion of friends who come to pray and eat bread and wine.  The Eucharist is fundamentally priestly, because the first Eucharist was celebrated in a priestly way by the unique High Priest, in whose priesthood we ourselves participate, Jesus Christ. He was the priest and was the victim of the Sacrifice.

 

"Once when I was in the seminary, my grandmother told me never to forget that I was going to be a priest, and the most important thing for a priest was to celebrate the Mass.  And she reminded me about a mother who said to her son, who was a very holy priest, she told him, "Celebrate the Mass, each Mass, as if it were the first and the last."

 

"With what greatness the priest has to prepare himself to celebrate the Holy Eucharist.  Such a beautiful thing!  Such a great thing!  Something that fills us with joy!  And what applies to the priest also applies in a way to each of the faithful who participate in the common priesthood of all the faithful.  He can't celebrate the Eucharist, but he can participate in the celebration.  This is the greatest thing that can take place during the day.  It is the most profound, the most priestly. For this reason we unite ourselves to Jesus Christ the Priest who offers His Sacrifice to the Father.

 

"But back to the priest--if some of you who are listening to me  are young people, doesn't this excite you?  Don't you feel that God is calling you to this great thing--to have in your hands the Body of Christ?"

 

(From EWTN's exclusive interview with Cardinal-Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, now Pope Francis. In this excerpt, the future Pope talks about his devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. )

Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, Mother of all priests and our Mother, help us respond generously to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of His Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests.  Amen.

 

Pope Francis Asks For Prayers: Join Rosary for the Bishop

"First and foremost I would like to say a prayer for our Bishop Emeritus Benedict XVI. Let us pray together for him, that the Lord bless him and the Virgin keep him.”

“And now let us begin this journey, bishop and people, this journey of the Church of Rome, which is the one that leads all the churches in charity. A journey of fraternity, of trust between us. Let us always pray for one another. Let us pray for the world so that this might be a great brotherhood...
 

Now I would like to impart the blessing, but first, first I ask a favor of you. Before the bishop blesses the people, I ask that you pray to the Lord that He bless me: the prayer of the people asking a blessing for their bishop. Let us pray in silence, this your prayer for me.”

 

~ Pope Francis ~

  



~ Join Rosary for the Bishop for Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome,  here.

~ Join Rosary for the Bishop for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI,  here. ~
 

Adopt a Cardinal to Spiritually Support During the Papal Election Process

What about you? Do you feel the same way too?

• Are you infinitely thankful to God for having given us such a wonderful, wise and benevolent pope in Benedict XVI.?
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You now have the opportunity to actively be part of this providential endeavour by having a Cardinal assigned to you, who you will support through your prayer and intercession during the coming weeks before and during the conclave and for three days following the election.

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Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, Mother of all priests and our Mother, help us respond generously to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of His Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests.  Amen.

 

Why the Church Cannot Change the Priesthood to Allow Women Priests

"In theology we base ourselves not on human expectations, but we base ourselves on the revealed Word of God--on what God has said--and the priesthood is not a natural human social function.  The Catholic priesthood is tied with the unique priesthood of Christ, which means we are not free to invent the priesthood according to our own customs, according to our own expectations.  We interpret the priesthood through Christ, and the Catholic priesthood has been instituted by Christ--not invented by the Church. 

 

"The apostles were not elected.  They were not designated by the crowds.  They didn't propose themselves.  They were chosen by Christ.  He chose men as priests.

 

"At the Incarnation the Son of God became flesh, and became flesh not in a sexless humanity but as a male.  So this is the fundamental reason why the Church cannot change the priesthood, the understanding of the priesthood, allowing for the ordination of women."

 

~ Dominican Father Wojciech Giertych, theologian of the papal household ~

 

 

Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, Mother of all priests and our Mother, help us respond generously to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of His Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests.  Amen.