Priests

The piety of us people depends, to a great extent, on the holiness of our clergy. We get what we deserve! The Bible tells us in Acts that the most terrible chastisement which almighty God inflicts upon perverse nations is to give them priests of their own kind. The formation of priests is then,of the utmost importance to all Catholics. We need to pray for them daily and support them in any way we can.

The above painting is by Blessed Fra Angelico (1400-1455). I think it is beautiful when you consider what and whom you're seeing. Saint Peter is ordaining Stephen to the diaconate while Saint John the Beloved (whose feast is today, December 27), holding his Gospel, looks on. The composition is remarkable: the three heads of Peter, John and Stephen form a triangle, a symbol of communion in the Three Divine Persons. Peter is handing over the chalice and paten; they are very large. Fra Angelico makes the Most Holy Eucharist central; he paints what Saint Thomas Aquinas taught, i.e. that the unity of the Church is constituted and held together by participation in the adorable Body and Blood of Christ.

Read: 1 Tim 4: 1-10

Amen! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all. Amen.