Madame Evangelista wrote a post about the kindness of a priest at St Mary’s Cathedral in Newcastle. James Preece wrote a post praising his parish priest and saying something about their friendship. I wonder if we could get a thing going here for this priestly year? I remember listening to a PP years ago thanking the congregation for their support in the weeks after some scandal or other involving a priest had come out. It hadn’t occurred to me that the scandal would affect other priests. Now, as ME says,
To put it bluntly, the common stereotype of a catholic priest is of a paedophile. At best, when they are not thought of as actual criminals, the view is of a stern and forbidding man who promulgates hate or at least, makes people feel like complete shit about themselves.
Whereas I think my experience, if broader than that of most people, is probably typical: a couple of well-meaning careerites, (and a friend knew one real manipulative shit) and many many kind, generous, sensible, hard-working and prayerful men of all kinds, from thug to aesthete, from monk to bon viveur. I have received so many kindnesses and so many graces from these men. It would be good if the cesspit of the internet had more Posts In Praise of Priests. Appreciations of individuals, by name, if it would not cause them embarassment or difficulty.
October 29, 2009 at 1:29 am
The priest, not of my geographical parish, but of the parish where I go to attend the EF Mass, went to the trouble of printing and mailing to every registered family in the parish, a booklet on modesty in dress. This blew my mind since I have rarely in my life heard a homily that even mentioned modesty, let alone had a priest go out of his way to emphasize the point outside of Mass.
He also makes himself available for confessions about 50 times during Holy Week, morning noon and night, and does not stop once the Triduum begins either, but goes right on hearing confessions until, I think, Holy Saturday afternoon. Here’s a guy who, as far as I can tell, is not concerned about reserving some quiet time for himself, but gives himself wholly to his vocation.
His name is Fr. Louis Marx of San Secondo d’Asti parish in Guasti (Ontario), California.
October 30, 2009 at 1:22 am
Must take this moment to give a wee “shout oot” to a priest who passed away a few years ago. He spent a good few years promoting and overseeing vocations to the priesthood and was a great spiritual advisor and confessor.
He was one of the people that just knew what made people tick. His calmness, his laugh, his sense of humour, and the fact that he just loved being a Priest put you instantly at ease, and, the world was often a wee bit easier to understand following a blether with him.
I’m sure there are many priests, former aspirants and ex-seminarians who would cite him as being hugely influential as they came to find their calling in the church and in the world.
Rest in peace Father Angus “Wee Gus” MacLean.
October 30, 2009 at 9:00 am
Gie’im a blog post on yr blog! I might put Agellius’ comment into a post on this blog, cos afaik A. has not ane blog.
November 11, 2009 at 12:13 am
I saved my blog post for a recent news article about another Priest that i know well. (Retired, but, like, Melchisedech…)
Well worth a read, if you get the chance.