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PERSONAL TESTIMONIES
Even though I've grown up in a devout Catholic family for ten out of the sixteen years of my life, I never thought much about priests. I was unable to relate to any of the priests I knew, who were all old or middle-aged, and I didn't have a regular confessor. Then, two years ago, our church became a "training-parish" for diocesan seminarians to visit during the summer. Our first seminarian was named Mark. My sisters and I serve daily Mass, so we got to see him nearly everyday that summer. In that short summer, he became a good friend of the family. After finishing up his last year in seminary, Mark came back the following summer as a deacon. My family and I had the privellege of attending his ordination, which was an unforgettable experience for me. The now-Fr. Mark spent the remainder of the summer with us, so we got to see him celebrate daily Mass -- I was amazed at his reverence, and the way he would bend lovingly over the Host and whisper to his Divine Friend.
In the fall Mark was sent back to seminary to continue his studies, but he became restless -- he felt the urge to serve. After requesting for an assignment from the bishop, he was assigned -- providentially! -- to our parish as parochial vicar, where he remained for a year. During that time, I began going to Fr. Mark regularly for confession and spiritual direction. He was the best friend anyone could ask for, and he helped me through a lot of difficult moments. It was in this young priest that I first became aware of the real meaning of "Alter Christus."
Fr. Mark has gone on to another parish, but the impact he made will always remain. My friendship with him has brought me to love the priesthood and the sacrament of confession more than I ever knew possible. It is providential that I came to love priests just in time for the Year for Priests. Since June 19, I've joined an apostolate for women who devote themselves to the service of priests; I've prayed night and day for priests; I've read every material I can lay my hands on about the
priesthood; I've encouraged all my friends and family to pray for priests. All because of one very holy priest.
Thank you, Fr. Mark, and all priests, for everything that you do. Know that you are all loved immensely. Without you, our Church would be nothing.
Happy Year of the Priest!
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I am blessed because God has gifted me with a religious vocation which allows me to offer my life at the service of the Priesthood. Our Founder Bl. James Alberione taught us that if all we ever do in our life is to help just one priest celebrate one Mass, then our life here on earth has been worthwhile. Each priest that I encounter reminds me that God loves us with an everlasting love and blesses us with his holy ministers who break the Word and the Bread of Life for us, He does not leave us on our own. In return we are called to walk with them as companions on a common journey in good times and bad and support them for our prayers, to offer them hospitality in sicknesses and difficulty. Our hearts just as our communities do, hold a priviledged place for each one of you. My friends, you are always supported by our prayers, we offer our Eucharistic Adoration for you and with you. In 31 countries our sisters are on their knees praying that you will be faithful to the end. In Dublin, every first Thursday for 15 years, we have offered a Day of Prayer for Priests and over a hundred diferent priests have shared their stories with us throughout this time. May God be praised for the precious gift of the Priesthood, may He send many holy and happy labourers into His vineyeard,
God bless you all,
Sr.M. Louise , Disciples of the Divine Master, Stillorgan, Dublin.
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I have never regretted for being a priest inspite of the many challenges l face even in my one year as a priest. I cherrish the priesthood and l love the support being given by the laity, they are really our backbone. Anybody wishing to be a personal friend so that we can share is warmly invited, l am from Ghana.
Fr. Derick Mawuli (derickux@yahoo.com)
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We want to say thank you to Father Michael Screene MSC who celebrated our marriage in Saratov, Russia in December 2001. Three years later I tried to visit the parish in Saratov,Russia, though Father Michael had already departed to Ireland. I just want to say that our (and his) prayers were answered and we are blessed with a beautiful baby! She is almost 10 months old and was baptised in Good Sheppard Catholic Parish in Perth, WA.
Thank you for your support and prayers.
Anna and Paul, Perth Western Australia
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I would like to say 'Thank You' for all the seminirians, priests, and most especially Father Michael Butler of Kenrick- Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO, for their generosity and charity to me. I am new to St. Louis and in discernment for a vocation to the priesthood. I have been welcome in the seminary community with great compassion and I pray to Almight God that all priests and seminarians continue to be blessed by the Lord and guided in this life to do all that He wills.
Thank You.
Corey L. Greene
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During our days of prayer in June, month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, hundreds of people at our Abbey have been collecting & distributing the prayer card for World Day of Prayer for Priests among families, prayer groups & parishioners.
This lay initiative is a great source of encouragement & hope in our Church.
Rath Dé 'sna Maighdine Muire oraibh go léir
From: Fr. Gerard Cusack O.Praem.
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Congratulations. Greetings to you all. I say your ad in the Irish Times yesterday and I had a look at the site this morning, well done and keep up the good work. I am working with migrant workers here in Ireland, mainly Brazilians and I have to keep up to date with the scene in Brazil via the internet so I am pleased to add you to my favourites list.
Pat McNamara
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It is a wonderful idea to offer our Priests all over the world support from God's people all over the world. This should be a source of strength and comfort to the persons of Jesus on earth. No one can take their place because they act in the person of Jesus and no one can offer what they have to offer because they have been commissioned by Jesus. I firmly believe that we need to love our Priests and offer them support in their vocation as they so generously offer us their support. We are truly blessed to have our Priests who are 'the love of the heart of Jesus' as St. John Vienny once wrote.
Jenny chetty
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I want to remember my dear Priest Fr. Ramon who died a couple of years ago, and who Celebrated our Wedding, he made it so special making sure we knew God was uniting us as we expressed our wedding vows, I miss you Fr. Ramon, but I trust our Dear God welcomed you in His Glory the day you died. May this be a tribute to all our dear Priests who have passed this year.
The Jones Family
Savage, MD
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Remembering all our wonderful priests for the service they always give so willingingly.
remembering those recently ordained especially fr Charlie who was ordained on this special day. Pat.
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We have always been blessed and priviledged to have wonderful and dedicated priests in our parish.God bless the both of you Fr Gabriel Slattery and Fr frank Raebourn.
Brian Lynch
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I ask for your prayers for our Priests here in Western Washington State, espesially for Fr. Derek Lappe and the seven new Priests who were ordained here last week. Fr. Lappe works tirelessly for the needs of God's people and I pray that Priests around the world will show their people the dedication to Christ we see. I thank God for all who seek to follow the passion of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
In Him,
Alicia Vaughn
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Thank you so much - I love you all, always have and always will!!! Thanks for hearing my confessions and for administering the body and blood of our Saviour to me. Thanks again. I love you.
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I have been greatly fortunate to share my life with a wonderful priest as I have returned to the Catholic faith after a 20-year absence. His name is Father Azuka Iwuchwuku. Father Azuka works tirelessly to minister Christ. On July 1 he will return home to Nigeria for a short while, but before he does, he has been ministering Christ to hospital patients forty hours per week in addition to the associated duties while he keeps his home at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta. In this transitional period for Father Azuka, I pray that he stay strong in the knowledge that God has chosen to use him in this awesome way to touch so many lives, including mine, with his beautiful prayers and kind words and loving gestures. I am so very thankful to have experienced a significant amount of time with Father Azuka; it is one of God's many blessings in my life. Surely, our friendship is a sign of God's love.
Amanda Morin
Cathedral of Christ the King
Atlanta, Georgia
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My heart leaps for joy when I see our priests gathered together at the Cathedral of Christ the King around the altar to celebrate the Liturgy of the Eucharist at the Chrism Mass. I feel proud to be Catholic. I remember psalm 133, "How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!" What greater unity than to be united in prayer around the altar celebrating Jesus in Holy Communion. "It is like precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes," the oil of gladness, oil of ordination, oil of blessing. This visual image remains with me
throughout the year, reminding me "How VERY good and pleasant it is." After celebrating mass, the priests gather for lunch to renew friendships and share some happy and fun tines. Again, it does my heart good to see them happy, and celebrating the goodness of life together. Thank you, dear priests, for giving us the opportunity to see "How VERY
good it is" for us to live in unity.
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At Mass this morning our priest, who will be one of the spiritual directors on an Ignatian Retreat for priests in Omaha, NE, asked us for prayer. He asked us for specific prayers that the Lord will anoint priests in the ministry of spiritual direction as this is a great need amongst the priesthood and to pray during the month of July for the priests on this retreat. We were so blessed to hear this as we have had a Marian Movement for Priests Cenacle in our home for over ten years. This was such an encouragement to keep praying for our priests and seminarians. We love our priests so much and have seen Our Lady bring vocations. Just this month we had one man ordained as a priest and 3 men as permanent deacons from our parish. We are truly blessed. We will continue to pray for our beloved priests.
Joan Bershefsky, Stratford, CT, USA
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Dear Ones:
Always I have been touched by the idea of the priesthood.
Because of a disability I can never be a priest.
I can not physically stand at an altar.
My heart is an altar at which I stand.
I praise God for all priests there and will do so forever...
Even I believe after death.
I love all of you and I will daily pray for intentions if a priest is so inclined to share his life with me.
Please write me as it would give me great joy to pray for a soul chosen by God for the priesthood.
In Him Always
Thomas USA
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Ar mo shon féin agus ar son sagairt ar na misiúin gabhaim buíochas ó chroí le gach duine a oibríonn ar an bhfeachtas seo, 'World Priest Day'. Go méadaí Dia a ghrásta ionnaibh go léir. Tá súil agam go dtiocfaidh fás agus borradh ar bhur niarrachtaí.
Your page is an inspiration. Keep up the good work.
Pádraig Ó Máille S.P.S.
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September 20,2003 is the 6th year anniversary of Theotokos Prayer Mission. This prayer group is founded here in the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Quezon City, Philippines to pray particularly for the sanctification of priests and religious. Praying for Priests is a sign that we love Jesus Christ who is the head of the Church. It is a sign that we love the Church as the body of Christ. It is a sign that we love the Blessed Virgin Mary as Mother of God of Priests when Jesus Christ entrusted his Mother to St. John in Calvary. Let us entrust them in the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Bro. Rolly B. Briones, OFMCap.
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I am a 13 year old teenager and I would like to share my views about priests and their importance in our Christian lives. Priests are the foundation of the church and they hold it together. Priests are messengers from God and they spread the word about Heaven and everlasting life. They have such a strong faith in God that they devote their whole life to spreading the good news. Above all, we cannot forget the importance of the Pope, as he is God's representative on earth. This is why World Priest's Day is so important because we thank God for all the priests and acknowledge and appreciate how important they are to us in our daily lives.
Thank you for reading my views on Priests.
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"As a priest for 7 years, I would like to thank Quantum, and all those associated with this campaign. This is a great moment of Grace for priests and the Church! When we consciously and prayerfully remember one another, the Grace of God enters our souls in abundance. Many of us who are priests, don’t need a day like this to be reminded of the love and care of people for us, or of the importance of the work we do (because we see it and hear about it every day from those we serve), but for those who do not have this blessing in their Ministry, and for those who don’t believe it is possible, I am sure that Friday 27th @ 3pm will be a powerful moment of Awareness. May the Lord, who has begun this work in us all, bring it to fulfilment!"
Paddy Rushe, CC,
St. Peter’s Parish, Drogheda,
Archdiocese of Armagh
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'As part of a journey in faith, I have come to believe that all priests are God's representative on earth and doctors of our soul.
Like a mother that gives birth to a child, it is a unique role and privilge and can never be really understood.
But we Christians can share in that experience as we make our pilgrimage here on earth-and through prayer and our priests we can deepen our faith and enrich our lives.
Therefore the World day of prayer for priests is an acknowledgement of God's gift to us for 'these men set apart' and to say thank you for every priest, because without them there would be no Church and no life. WE NEED YOU!'
Kathy Queensmere
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The World Day of Prayer for Priests is just one of the many “bridge building” initiatives of the laity which shows its appreciation for the priesthood of Christ and its critical role in the sanctification of the People of God. Above all today when the authenticity of the priesthood is being called into question the support of the laity for its priests is crucial and so very vital to the perserverence of the priests. One should never underestimate the power of prayer especially for priests who are called at every minute to be another Christ to others. Please God this World Day of Prayer for Priests will become a “monumental piece” in the life of all Catholics in the coming years.
Fr. Martin Connor, Legionaries of Christ
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"In our time-poor society I am constantly impressed by the generousity with which our Spiritual Fathers make themselves available to us. It often seems as though they are "just always there", a bit like a stay-at-home parent serving their spiritual children! The core of our evangelisation work in Youth 2000 is the Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation. Without our priests we are denied these special gifts and our work would not be possible. The enthusiasm and love of Christ that we have received from countless priests over the last decade is now bearing much fruit and it is my hope that many young men will find a vocation to the ministerial priesthood as a result of the inspiring example of these holy priests".
God bless
Sean Ascough
National Secretary
Youth 2000 Ireland
