Principles and Practices - April 25

The Priest

All comes to us by the priest; yes, all happi­ness, all grace; every heavenly gift. If we had not the Sacrament of Holy Orders we should not have Our Lord.
Who placed Him in the Tabernacle?
The priest.

Who first received your soul on its entrance into life?
The priest.

Who nourishes it to give it strength for its pilgrim­age?
The priest.

Who will prepare it to appear before God, by washing it for the last time in the Blood of Jesus Christ?
The priest.

And if that soul shall die, who will raise it again, who will restore it to tranquillity and peace?
Once more, the priest.

You cannot recall to mind one single blessing from God without beholding by the side of that remembrance the image of the priest.

-Cure d' Ars.
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From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930