Universal Call to Holiness

The words that Fr S addresses to brother priests in the excerpts below can just as well be applied to the non-ordained. We are all called to the heights of holiness--to sainthood. Can we honestly say that we are living for God and His glory more than for ourselves? Are His priorities our priorities? Do we want to please Him in all that we think, say and do? Do we love Him more than anyone else or anything that the world has to offer?

The Holy Father has been inspired to ask for a year of special prayer and sacrifice for priests. His request echoes the sentiments of Jesus when He said to Venerable Concepcion Cabrera de Armida, "...I want souls who are dedicated with fervor, with determination and without looking for rest, to plead day and night for My priests."

The Year for Priests is quickly drawing to a close. Have we been more attentive during this year to the obligation to spiritually support our Catholic priests? Do we pray for priests, sacrifice and mortify ourselves for them? Never? Seldom? Frequently? Every Day? Could we do more? Should we do more? What does Jesus want us to do? Have we tried to satisfy the thirst of Jesus for holy priests and holy people?

Fr S has written a thought provoking post:

"...Our Holy Father tries to be holy; no one can doubt that. But priests need to try to be holy, too! So long as we pass the buck to others and give ourselves a pass we will never have the success that we could.

"If we look through history, there have been times of great religious fervor and great religious torpor. Right now it seems that we are in the latter. We are all waiting around, wondering who the next saints will be to lift us out of this mire. Why is it that we cannot be those ones? Why do we not pray for the charismatic gifts? Why do we not pray to share in the Cross? Why do we not ask huge things of Our Lord? Why do we not seek holiness and holiness alone? What other solution can there be?

"The sad state of things in so many places is that when one priest tries to live out a holy life, he is branded as extreme. He looks at what saints did in earlier days and is drawn to mortification and simplicity, all the while being thought of as crazy by the brethren. This has got to stop. No matter how holy the Holy Father is or a few bishops are, they need our help. They need our sacrifice, our mortification, our intercession. We have all of the tools we need, but we have to put them into practice. Holiness alone! Sola sanctitas! We have got to draw the line here and give not even an inch. "

~ Excerpts from Sola Sanctitas by Fr. S at Clerical Reform ~

~ AN APPEAL FOR ONE HOUR OF EUCHARISTIC ADORATION FOR PRIESTS ~

(The poll counter has gone haywire the last couple of months and is counting backwards. Don't let that stop you from making a commitment to offer a Holy Hour for priests. What is important is the commitment--not the number. Only 71 days left in this Year for Priests.)

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.