It’s not often that priests from across the diocese gather for a celebration of the ministry that they provide, but that’s what happened at St. Charles Borromeo, Nederland, Aug. 25
Priests and parishioners in the Diocese of Beaumont joined together to celebrate the Mass to open the diocesan Year for Priests.
Bishop Curtis Guillory, SVD, began his homily by thanking his brother priests for their continued service and for making themselves accessible to the people of the diocese.
“I know that my brother priests will share this feeling. I was in seminary I felt so inadequate to do what God had called me to do. All of us have these gaps in us and it’s the Holy Spirit that fills these gaps and allows us to be adequate,” Bishop Guillory said.
He talked about the change that comes over a person when they encounter Christ in their lives.
“Once we encounter the living Christ we are changed and we see the world through the eyes of Christ. These priests have been anointed. Day in and day out they are impelled to bring Christ to the Lord’s people,” Bishop Guillory said.
Bishop Guillory also spoke of St. John Vianney, the patron saint of priests and his struggle through seminary.
“St. John struggled through seminary, and a number of priests recognized the love in the heart of St. John. They knew the Holy Spirit would fill those gaps. And it did, and he went on to bring many people to the Lord,” Bishop Guillory said.
He urged the attendees at Mass to use this year as an opportunity to spread the word about vocations.
“This is a wonderful opportunity that we have to commit ourselves, on a personal level, to pray for and promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life,” Bishop Guillory said.
After Mass attendees joined the priests of the diocese for food and fellowship in the parish hall.
The Year for Priests was opened by Pope Benedict XVI June 19 on the feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. The pope dedicated this year coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Vianney.
The purpose of the Year for Priests is to focus the church on priesthood and encourage priests on their journey in their vocations.
