Can we celebrate the Eucharist without a priest?
Catechism Meditation:
The bishop is “the steward of the grace of the supreme priesthood,” especially in the Eucharist which he offers personally or whose offering he assures through the priests, his co-workers. The Eucharist is the center of the life of the particular Church. The bishop and priests sanctify the Church by their prayer and work, by their ministry of the word and of the sacraments. They sanctify her by their example, “not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock.” [1 Pet 5:3] Thus, “together with the flock entrusted to them, they may attain to eternal life.” ―No. 893
REFLECTION. In his article for Catholic Courier: No Priest, no Eucharist, Gail Bryant wrote… No priest, no Eucharist. A simple yet profound statement. There is a poem entitled “The Beautiful Hands of a Priest” which reads, in part; “At the altar each day we behold them, and the hands of a king on his throne are not equal to them in greatness. It’s the hand of a priest that will absolve us. When the hour of death comes upon us, raised over us in blessing the beautiful hands of a priest.” I think now of the hands of St. Padre Pio with the stigmata at the altar, in the confessional, and holding his rosary. St. Francis of Assisi said if he saw an angel and a priest I would bend my knee: First to the priest and then to the angel.
His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI said: “The missionary dimension of the priesthood is born from the priests’ sacramental configuration to Christ. The indispensable aspiration to moral perfection must dwell in every authentically priestly heart. God is the only treasure which ultimately people desire to find in a priest. People can tell if the words and actions of their pastor have their origin in his prayer or only at his writing table.”
Together, with our priests, we not only receive the Body of Christ, but we become more and more united as the Body of Christ. Therefore, pray for your priests, give them your love and respect, and assist them however you can. From a tune I heard recently; “In the morning when I rise, I need Jesus.” No priest, no Eucharist.
PRAYER. Heavenly Father, we earnestly ask you to bless our diocese and our world with many priests who will love you fervently, and gladly and courageously spend their lives in service to your Son’s Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Timeless Wisdom Quote:
“But the Sacred Heart wishes great graces to be distributed to souls through the hands of His priests.” ― Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
Featured Video:
Is THIS the Solution to the Shortage of Priests? (2:40)
