"Here is a layman's view of the priesthood.

"In Graham Greene's 1940 novel The Power and the Glory,

"set during the Mexican government's persecution of the Church,

"the last priest has been chased, starved, hobbled by fever, imprisoned, ...."


Snippet from Monsignor Stephen DiGiovanni's article, True priestly identity: Fidelity, conformity and Graham Greene. In the May 2011 issue of the Homiletic & Pastoral Review.

Now. as Monsignor DiGiovanni continues Greene's story:

"... and stripped of everything, including his pride, yet continues because of one thing he alone can offer people: Jesus in the Mass.

"In one scene, the whiskey priest (he is nameless, referred to only by his human weakness) grudgingly acquiesces to the peasants' request for Mass.

"In a hovel, with no vestments or altar, the priest hurriedly offers Mass for the impoverished gaggle of people, waiting for the government troops to uncover their illegal religious observance and execute the last priest ...

"Greene describes the scene and the priest's thoughts: Far a matter of seconds he felt an immense satisfaction that he could talk of suffering to them now without hypocrisy -- it is hard for the sleek and well - fed priest to praise poverty. He began the prayer ..."

Yes, indeed!

"Even Graham Greene's whiskey priest contributed by offering the Mass, baptizing and hearing confessions -- Christ efficaciously sharing himself with the poor, despite the priest's obvious flaws.

"And the priest responded in a humanly imperfect manner, but he responded as a priest, even to the point of martyrdom by a Mexican firing squad, hidden behind the walls of the local police station.

"The novel ends with another priest arriving in secret to continue Christ's work of sanctification, 'for your Heavenly Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you (Mt. 6:4).'

"The Church and the world need priests, since that is how our Lord established hisChurch to be: a person - to - person work of holiness.

"Now, more than ever, we need virtuous, healthy, merciful men, strong enough to live a celibate life, yet weak enough to know they must humbly show their love of Christ by submitting their wills in obedience to God through his Church, for the salvation of souls..."

Way to go, Monsignor! :)