The great adventure of priesthood

This month with my class from 1986 I hope to celebrate 40 years of priestly ministry alongside many other priests marking jubilee milestones. Few need to be reminded of the turbulence of the past four decades of church history. Yet despite the passage and testing of time most of my class, and the same would apply to other groups, remain in ministry, faithfully serving the church and God’s people as they promised 40 years ago – albeit with feet of clay. They continue to experience what Pope John Paul II once described as ‘the great adventure’ of priesthood. Many have remained lifelong friends and supported one another over the years and have preached the Gospel, as St Francis of Assisi advised, with their lives as much as their words. They have strengthened families, sharing the happiest and saddest occasions, helped to build communities of faith and in return have been loyally supported by parishioners in times of adversity. Priests rarely acknowledge their admiration and deep respect for one another, so it is good to have the opportunity this month to meet, affirm and encourage each other. And in the words of a blessing for priesthood written by the late John O’Donohue (from ‘Benedictus’):

 

May the blessings released through your hands

Cause windows to open in darkened minds.

May the sufferings your calling brings

Be but winter before the spring.

May your solitude be a voyage

Into the wilderness and wonder of God.

May you find words full of divine warmth

To clothe the dying in the language of the dawn.

May the slow light of the Eucharist

Be a sure shelter around your future.

 

Ad multos Annos.

 

Paul Clayton-Lea

Editor

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