The Dignity of the Sacrament and of the Priesthood
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.