Recently during the week when I attended mass at a local
church, I saw how one parish celebrated the Year of the Priest. Before
the final blessing the celebrant called two couples to the altar. He
blessed both couples, and then the first couple gave the second couple the
box they were holding which contained a chalice. They would keep the
chalice for a week in a prominent place in their home with the intent of
praying for all priests, for vocations to the priesthood and religious life,
and for the church. I was very moved by this simple but very
meaningful “passing on the chalice.”
This caused me to reflect on how am I praying for all the
priests who are and who ever have been in my life…how am I praying for all
priests…for vocations…for those in religious life…for the church.
Since that day, I have been challenged to be more aware of the blessing
priests are in our lives…the blessing they have been in our past and
today…to pray for them for the grace and strength they need. |
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I wonder if there would be more vocations if I was praying more,
if we all were praying more? In truth, where would you and I be without
our priests?
I’ve been challenged by this simple ceremony and I pass this
challenge on to you. Pray for the church and pray for our priests and pray
for all the people of God!
(Darlene Czop is a member of the Bread of Life/Light of the World
Prayer Group at St. Lucy Parish in Saint Clair Shores. She also serves the
DCCR as a Member of the Staff and the Assembly.)
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