Wednesday, January 10, 2007

The Blessed Virgin Mary in the Life and Ministry of the Priest

Every aspect of priestly formation can be referred to Mary as to the human being who better than anyone has corresponded to the vocation of God; who has become the servant and disciple of the Word up until conceiving in her heart and in her flesh the Word made man in order to give him to humanity; who has been called to educate the unique and eternal Priest, docile and submissive to her motherly authority. With her example and through her intercession, the Blessed Virgin continues watching over the development of vocations and of the priestly life of the Church.

To her, the Mother of the Eternal High Priest, we want to entrust our priestly vocation, received with the imposition of hands on the day of our ordination, with which we are given the unmerited gift of being Alter Christus.

To her, who keeps her priests in her heart and in the Church, we want to entrust our pastoral work and the abundant harvest of the Lord.

To her, who welcomed us from the beginning, who protected us in our formation, we raise our petition, that she may accompany us in our priestly lives and ministries.

Excerpt from the Conference of Mons. Norberto Rivera,
Archbishop, Primate of Mexico (Yamoussoukro, July 9, 1997

Text courtesy of the Marie de Nazareth Association. If you haven't yet signed up to their daily Moment with Mary emails, this might be a lovely way to begin the year with Mary, Mother of God.

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