Solemnity of Sts. Peter & Paul
Many of you celebrate birthdays and anniversaries both for yourself and your family and friends. What does a priest do? Well, we certainly celebrate birthdays and family and friends’ events of their lives. And just as a married couple has an anniversary date so do priests. We celebrate our Date of Ordination into the priesthood.
I cannot speak for all priests, but our anniversaries are probably a bit on the quiet, more reserved side until we reach certain milestones. A bigger celebration is done at year 25, perhaps 40 depending on the age of the priest, and then certainly on the 50th. Of course, when and if we reach our 50th, the celebration is much like a couple’s anniversary at 50. Nothing too wild and certainly some cake.
I bring this up as today I am celebrating my 14th anniversary in the priesthood. I have vivid memories of the ordination. What helps to remember is that the readings of this day at mass are almost always the same.
Another memory jogger is the Chrism Mass where priests renew their vows to the Bishop and the people. And just as we explain to couples in marriage preparation, your marriage needs to be focused on Jesus, our life is focused on Jesus.
We also consider our lives as a gift to all of you we serve. I am blessed that my anniversary is on the Solemnity of Sts. Peter & Paul. Paul known as the great theologian and teacher. Peter as the great preacher, working with the people. Two amazing pillars of our Church. It is not known if both of them were martyred on the same day, but their martyrdom took place in Rome, so we celebrate this day.
As a second vocation priest, I do look forward to my 25th anniversary. That will be June 29th, 2033. I plan to be around, but probably not to0 active as I will be 80 then. It is a blessing to continue to serve all of you.
May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen