Called to be Saints

Granted, the pregnancy hormones may be working overtime, but Cate’s lesson on Holy Orders this morning left me in tears.

It was so beautiful.

“Holy Orders is the sacrament by which men become priests. A priest is a man not like other men. He belongs to God alone. The Sacrament of Holy Orders is very special because only a priest can unite with Jesus to offer the holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Only a priest is given the power by Jesus to change bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Only a priest has the power by Jesus to forgive sins in the Sacrament of Penance. The priest takes the place of Jesus at every Mass. He shares in the priesthood of Jesus Christ. It is a wonderful privilege that God gives only to men.

A boy should listen carefully as he prays so that God can tell him if He wants him for His special work in the priesthood. Becoming an altar boy is a very good way to become close to Jesus. Many priests were once altar boys. God will give the boys He chooses the grace to respond when He calls.

The Sacrament of Holy Orders is reserved for men. Only a man can become a priest. Do you know why? A priest takes the place of Jesus. Since Jesus Christ was a man, only a man can be made a priest.

Our vocation, God’s choice of life for us, is something very important. We are all called to be saints in Heaven one day, no matter what we are called to be while we are on earth A man may be called to the priesthood, the religious life, the single life, or to become the father of a family. A woman may become a religious sister, a married woman raising children, or have a vocation to the single state. The important thing is to be the best in whatever our state in life might be. Whatever we may become, we should offer our lives to God, making our lives holy and pleasing to God.”

My sons were listening in on the lesson. When I had finished reading, we talked about our parish priest and how blessed we are to have such a good and holy man leading us.

“He’s the kind of person that just makes you happy when you see him,” I said. “Don’t you think?”

The boys were quick to agree.

“I mean, just imagine Father D’s death,” I continued. “Our Lord will say to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant’ because of all the good he’s done and the many lives he’s touched.”

That was the moment the tears started streaming. I want to be that kind of person; I want to hear those words upon my death.

Ad Jesum per Mariam,