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The priest who spoke at our convalidation seminar was eloquent, dynamic, and full of charisma. Why don’t all priests speak like that? I found myself wondering. As a convert to Catholicism from the Non-Denominational Protestant faith, I expected to be entertained. After all, the more engaging, the better the priest, right?

Over time, though, I began to realize that the Mass is a sacrifice. We participate in it — just as the members of the early church did — who risked life and limb for the privilege of just being there. I doubt that they were concerned about being entertained.

In the Eucharist, we are partakers of Christ incarnate. What more could we want?

A Prayer for Priests
By St. Therese of Lisieux

O Jesus, eternal Priest,
keep your priests within the shelter of Your Sacred Heart,
where none may touch them.

Keep unstained their anointed hands,
which daily touch Your Sacred Body.

Keep unsullied their lips,
daily purpled with your Precious Blood.

Keep pure and unearthly their hearts,
sealed with the sublime mark of the priesthood.

Let Your holy love surround them and
shield them from the world’s contagion.

Bless their labors with abundant fruit and
may the souls to whom they minister be their joy

and consolation here and in heaven their beautiful and
everlasting crown. Amen.