On his way back from the Holy Land last week, Pope Francis was asked by a journalist the same old question: why can’t priests marry? Believe me, even we brothers often hear those very same words. The answer of the Holy Father was very insightful, deep, and simple.
When I used to live in Thornwood, I would go every week to pick up donations at a bread factory. Once, one of the employees helping us asked, “Why do you want to become a priest, even if you know you will never get married?” I guess he was waiting to hear something about the rules of the Church and how tough they are. But I answered from the heart along the lines of what Pope Francis said: “Priestly celibacy is one of the greatest gifts from God to the Church, and we need to treasure it”.
As I move forward in my priestly formation, every year I am more and more grateful to God for this amazing gift of having shepherds that are completely dedicated to the service and care of the Church: The priest, like Christ himself, is actually married to the Church, and gives his life for her. They feed her with the Bread of Life; they heal the wounds of sin; they guide her along our spiritual journey to Heaven.
We need to pray and support our priests, that they might live their vocation to the fullest.
