"Thou Art a Priest Forever"

To live in the midst of the world with no desire for its pleasures; 

to be member of every family, yet belonging to none; 

to share all sufferings; 

to penetrate all secrets, to heal all wounds; 

to go daily from men to God to offer Him their homage and petitions; 

to return from God to men to bring them His pardon and hope; 

to have a heart of fire for charity and a heart of bronze for chastity;

 to bless and to be blest forever. 

O God, what a life, and it is yours, O Priest of Jesus Christ!

(Fr. Jean-Baptiste Henri Lacordaire, OP)

This is for all priests, past, present, and future, who give their lives in love to the Lord and who do so much for the people of God. This is for the priests who suffer persecution, but remain with their flock, even if it means death. This for the priests who follow the example of the One High Priest: Jesus Christ! May God Bless our "Fathers," our Priests.