To understand the mystery of the Holy Trinity is not a possibility. That is why we call it a mystery. And, in our Church, mysteries are usually not meant to be challenges to our minds and hearts; rather mysteries are something that is to be held in awe. You cannot ever understand how the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit can be one person! It is a mystery. It is to be held in awe not because despite our human minds not being able to fathom the divine but it is a gift of our God to us. It is a gift that teaches us God comes to us in words and ways of wisdom that we call the Holy Spirit. It is a gift that teaches us that Jesus, his son, is like us except in sin and that he has walked in our shoes, bringing freedom to us. It is a gift that teaches us that God the Father comes to us in countless ways with the love of a Father, the care of a Father and the daily giving of so many other gifts.
Today I do want to speak about the gift of priesthood which came my way. From the end of my second grade, when Fr. Bill Canning, my pastor, whispered into my ear, "I think God wants you to be a priest," the priesthood became a major objective in my life. Of course there have been days when I ask Fr. Canning why he did not say that to one of my brothers, leaving me to go a different way!
One of the challenges in priesthood is that the mystery mode I mentioned a few moments ago becomes a major part of a priest’s life. Everyday, everyday a priest is confronted with mysteries beyond understanding. First of all, it usually begins in a rectory with a question like, "How did I ever end up in a vocation that brought me to live with these men?" Then, invariably, someone will approach with a question about understanding the mystery question that person is asking him/herself: "How do I know who I am" or "why did my loved one die?" But the greatest test of faith for a priest happens every day at the altar. In saying the words of consecration, a priest confronts head-on the greatest of mysteries: what he is doing at that time is nothing less than making real once again the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Today, as we know, vocations to the priesthood have greatly diminished for a wide variety of reasons. Yet, there are some young and older men who, when asked by an ordaining Bishop if the priesthood and all that it requires are what they will accept, will answer "I will."
My 35 years in the priesthood, as you know has spanned not just priesthood but life in the priesthood as a Jesuit and as a priest of the Archdiocese of Washington. These years have been filled with many different experiences: much study, especially in the Jesuit educational tract . . . working with us slow learners! The years have been filled with working not just within a number of parishes in the Archdiocese but in many cities and Italy. And, my work has been much more than the rigors of parish life: from working in soup kitchens, grammar schools, high schools, universities, a pre-seminary high school, working with fire fighters in several cities and many other different kinds of ministries. Each assignment always brought me into different ways of reaching out to the people of God far beyond a classroom or a parish church.
The gift, the mystery of priesthood, is one that has brought me to the bedsides of the sick and dying guaranteeing that the love of God would indeed bring a new life in God’s kingdom.
The mystery of the sacrament of reconciliation has brought me into the very private moments and pains of the penitent, seriously reaching out for a kind of divine assistance.
The mystery of the priesthood has brought me literally thousands of families and individuals who speak of the mystery of association, friendship, trust and love.
Whether in a classroom, an office, traveling on the road as a fund raiser, or in a church, priesthood has been for me 35 years of non-stop going forward. It has been no different for any of my colleagues. We realize our lives have been different because of mystery. I believe for each of us in priesthood, hearing people just like each of you here today tell us that words we have written or said or the help we have extend to so many different kinds of needs, I truly believe that we know we daily touch mystery.
So, to you young men here today don’t pass off the vocation to the priesthood as something for someone else. It is a mystery why God called Msgr. Duffy, Fr. Ivan, Fr. Damir, Fr. Meyers, and ....(others present) or me to the priesthood. But all of us heard a call in our hearts, encouraged by other priests, religious sisters, friends or family, to at least try the road to the priesthood. Through perseverance and much prayer we, each of us, have responded "I will" not once but each day of our priestly lives so that we can continue to enjoy the gift of so many mysteries in our lives.
Today I want to thank all of you for the many ways you have assisted me become who I am today, a priest, a priest of mystery. The Ave Maria that will be sung and the Navy hymns at the end of our liturgy speak of my love and thanks to my mother and father, as these were each of their favorite hymns. Thanks also to my siblings, Jack, Gee, Bill and Denny and their families and to my cousins who are here. To each of you I many thanks. To my brother priests whose patience and support have made the mysteries of priesthood more livable, I thank you for being a family of brothers. I am thankful that the likes of Fr. Bill Canning and many other priests and religious whose lives helped shape my vocation.
Finally, I say to you who are parents, don’t hesitate to encourage your sons to consider the priesthood. Don’t deny them the opportunity to become a man who can share in the mystery of priesthood, the mystery of life, the mystery of genuine happiness and joy. Encourage them. A marvelous, yet mysterious life is a great possibility for them. Service in the Church is a life of true satisfaction.
Today I do want to speak about the gift of priesthood which came my way. From the end of my second grade, when Fr. Bill Canning, my pastor, whispered into my ear, "I think God wants you to be a priest," the priesthood became a major objective in my life. Of course there have been days when I ask Fr. Canning why he did not say that to one of my brothers, leaving me to go a different way!
One of the challenges in priesthood is that the mystery mode I mentioned a few moments ago becomes a major part of a priest’s life. Everyday, everyday a priest is confronted with mysteries beyond understanding. First of all, it usually begins in a rectory with a question like, "How did I ever end up in a vocation that brought me to live with these men?" Then, invariably, someone will approach with a question about understanding the mystery question that person is asking him/herself: "How do I know who I am" or "why did my loved one die?" But the greatest test of faith for a priest happens every day at the altar. In saying the words of consecration, a priest confronts head-on the greatest of mysteries: what he is doing at that time is nothing less than making real once again the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Today, as we know, vocations to the priesthood have greatly diminished for a wide variety of reasons. Yet, there are some young and older men who, when asked by an ordaining Bishop if the priesthood and all that it requires are what they will accept, will answer "I will."
My 35 years in the priesthood, as you know has spanned not just priesthood but life in the priesthood as a Jesuit and as a priest of the Archdiocese of Washington. These years have been filled with many different experiences: much study, especially in the Jesuit educational tract . . . working with us slow learners! The years have been filled with working not just within a number of parishes in the Archdiocese but in many cities and Italy. And, my work has been much more than the rigors of parish life: from working in soup kitchens, grammar schools, high schools, universities, a pre-seminary high school, working with fire fighters in several cities and many other different kinds of ministries. Each assignment always brought me into different ways of reaching out to the people of God far beyond a classroom or a parish church.
The gift, the mystery of priesthood, is one that has brought me to the bedsides of the sick and dying guaranteeing that the love of God would indeed bring a new life in God’s kingdom.
The mystery of the sacrament of reconciliation has brought me into the very private moments and pains of the penitent, seriously reaching out for a kind of divine assistance.
The mystery of the priesthood has brought me literally thousands of families and individuals who speak of the mystery of association, friendship, trust and love.
Whether in a classroom, an office, traveling on the road as a fund raiser, or in a church, priesthood has been for me 35 years of non-stop going forward. It has been no different for any of my colleagues. We realize our lives have been different because of mystery. I believe for each of us in priesthood, hearing people just like each of you here today tell us that words we have written or said or the help we have extend to so many different kinds of needs, I truly believe that we know we daily touch mystery.
So, to you young men here today don’t pass off the vocation to the priesthood as something for someone else. It is a mystery why God called Msgr. Duffy, Fr. Ivan, Fr. Damir, Fr. Meyers, and ....(others present) or me to the priesthood. But all of us heard a call in our hearts, encouraged by other priests, religious sisters, friends or family, to at least try the road to the priesthood. Through perseverance and much prayer we, each of us, have responded "I will" not once but each day of our priestly lives so that we can continue to enjoy the gift of so many mysteries in our lives.
Today I want to thank all of you for the many ways you have assisted me become who I am today, a priest, a priest of mystery. The Ave Maria that will be sung and the Navy hymns at the end of our liturgy speak of my love and thanks to my mother and father, as these were each of their favorite hymns. Thanks also to my siblings, Jack, Gee, Bill and Denny and their families and to my cousins who are here. To each of you I many thanks. To my brother priests whose patience and support have made the mysteries of priesthood more livable, I thank you for being a family of brothers. I am thankful that the likes of Fr. Bill Canning and many other priests and religious whose lives helped shape my vocation.
Finally, I say to you who are parents, don’t hesitate to encourage your sons to consider the priesthood. Don’t deny them the opportunity to become a man who can share in the mystery of priesthood, the mystery of life, the mystery of genuine happiness and joy. Encourage them. A marvelous, yet mysterious life is a great possibility for them. Service in the Church is a life of true satisfaction.
