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The Voice of Christ
Had you the purity of an angel and the sanctity of
St. John the Baptist, you would not be worthy to
receive or administer this Sacrament. It is not
because of any human meriting that a man consecrates
and administers the Sacrament of Christ, and receives
the Bread of Angels for his food. Great is the
Mystery and great the dignity of priests to whom is
given that which has not been granted the angels. For
priests alone, rightly ordained in the Church, have
power to celebrate Mass and consecrate the Body of
Christ.The priest, indeed, is the minister of God,
using the word of God according to His command and
appointment. God, moreover, is there -- the chief
Author and invisible Worker to Whom all is subject as
He wills, to Whom all are obedient as He commands.
In this most excellent Sacrament, therefore, you
ought to believe in God rather than in your own
senses or in any visible sign, and thus, with fear
and reverence draw near to such a work as this. Look
to yourself and see whose ministry has been given you
through the imposition of the bishop's hands.
Behold, you have been made a priest, consecrated
to celebrate Mass! See to it now that you offer
sacrifice to God faithfully and devoutly at proper
times, and that you conduct yourself blamelessly. You
have not made your burden lighter. Instead, you are
now bound by stricter discipline and held to more
perfect sanctity.
A priest ought to be adorned with all virtues and
show the example of a good life to others. His way
lies not among the vulgar and common habits of men
but with the angels in heaven and the perfect men on
earth. A priest clad in the sacred vestments acts in
Christ's place, that he may pray to God both for
himself and for all people in a suppliant and humble
manner. He has before and behind him the sign of the
Lord's cross that he may always remember the Passion
of Christ. It is before him, on the chasuble, that he
may look closely upon the footsteps of Christ and try
to follow them fervently. It is behind him -- he is
signed with it -- that he may gladly suffer for God
any adversities inflicted by others.
He wears the cross before him that he may mourn his
own sins, behind him, that in pity he may mourn the
sins of others, and know that he is appointed to
stand between God and the sinner, never to become
weary of prayer and the holy offering until it is
granted him to obtain grace and mercy.
When the priest celebrates Mass, he honors God,
gladdens the angels, strengthens the Church, helps
the living, brings rest to the departed, and wins for
himself a share in all good things.
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