HOLINESS FOR PRIESTS AND CONSECRATED SOULS

Divine Appeal Reflection  - 95

Today, consider in Divine Appeal 95: "Few among the souls that are consecrated to Me do not understand My Love. I want them all to know how greatly I desire them to renew their intimacy with Me. I refuse them nothing that is good for their souls. But they do not want Me. They only abuse and step on Me".

To truly embody their calling, priests and consecrated souls must learn to listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd, who is Our Adorable Jesus Himself. This requires a deep, ongoing commitment to prayer and discernment. By tuning their hearts to Jesus’ voice, they can receive the guidance and strength needed to navigate the challenges of their vocation and remain faithful to their call.

Priests are to be true images of Our Adorable Jesus; in spirit, actions, and deeds, they should reflect His humility, mercy, love, and deep desire for the salvation of souls. This profound responsibility requires them to model their lives after Jesus, who is the Good Shepherd. Priests then can adorn themselves in virtues of humility and mercy and become the physical representatives of Christ, showing humanity the affection they need. Most importantly, priests and other consecrated souls are called to bear witness to Jesus’ love by their ministries, especially in the sacraments. By listening to Jesus, they can maintain their dedication and faithfully carry out their mission, despite the difficulties they may face in their spiritual journey. The sacrament of Confession is a powerful testament to this, as priests, through their attentive listening and compassion, guide penitents back to the path of holiness, reflecting on Jesus’ mercy and love. In the Eucharist, as the source and the apex of Christian life, they offer Jesus to the people and feed them with His Body and Blood. Promoting Eucharistic Adoration helps souls to encounter Jesus in a deeply personal way, fostering a profound intimacy with Him. By these divine acts, priests guide humanity to the very bosom of Christ’s affection.

Today's Divine Appeal reaffirms the need to pray and to offer sacrifices for our priests and consecrated souls. Through our support, we can help them embrace a life of holiness, avoid the instances of secularism, and contribute to the salvation of many lost souls. Daily prayer and sacrifices are essential tools for nurturing the spiritual lives of priests and consecrated souls. These acts of devotion draw them closer to God and fortify them against worldly temptations. We call upon divine grace by setting aside time every day to pray for their sanctity, giving them the strength and confidence to pursue their vocations with unshakable faith and dedication. Our sacrifices, whether acts of penance, fasting, or offering up daily sufferings, serve as a spiritual support system. They reassure priests and consecrated souls that they are not alone in their journey towards holiness and act as a beacon of hope and encouragement, reinforcing their resolve to live according to the high standards of their calling. Supporting them in their vocations goes beyond prayer and sacrifice, involving active engagement and tangible support. This can include providing for their material needs, offering emotional and psychological support, and creating a community that values and upholds the principles of a consecrated life.

Inspired by the dedication of Sr. Anna Ali, we must actively pray for more holy vocations and for the perseverance of those already consecrated. Through these efforts, we contribute to the salvation of many lost souls, fulfilling Jesus' heartfelt desire for a renewed intimacy with His consecrated ones. Let us continually pray and offer sacrifices for our priests and consecrated souls, that they may be true images of Our Adorable Jesus, leading all souls to the embrace of His infinite love.