The Joy of Priesthood
This excerpt on Godspy of a recent book by Fr. Stephen J. Rossetti is a must read for any one wanting learn more about the priesthood.
Just
as priesthood is more difficult than most of us thought it would be, it
is also a lot better. In the end, there can be no mediocrity in this
life, no room for a half-hearted priesthood. It demands a personal,
total, and radical commitment. I believe that one of the many learnings
from the 2002 church crisis in the U.S. is that we are called to a life
of full integrity and to a level of holiness that we might not have
thought possible. In fact, it is the laity who has challenged us to
these heights of sanctity. The people expect us to be chaste, humble,
and totally dedicated servants of God. In our hearts, I suspect this is
what we want for ourselves too.
There are many trials and struggles of our priestly lives… But these are nothing compared to the majesty of our calling.
The priest shortage is indeed a negative sign of our affluence and the materialistic narcissism of our day.
Our lives are dedicated completely to God, and to the people. Thus,
they are sacred, despite our perpetually nagging human frailty.
