PRAY!

As time goes by, my thoughts, prayers, and concerns increase daily.  Yes, for the economy, for the people, for the sick and vulnerable, for our Religious, Deacons, Bishops, but, most of all, for our Diocesan Priests.

I have tried to think of every “position” and the impact of the quarantine.  All are inconvenienced.  Most all are feeling the financial impact.  Everyone’s life has had a negative aspect in this pandemic. But none are so completely disrupted as those who lives are spent in service of others.  They cannot do the very thing that is their livelihood, i.e., wait staff, social workers, anyone in service where human contact is critical for the completion of their work.   But for the Priest, it is not just a livelihood, it is a commission, a vocation, a mandate from God.

Some in the service industry are finding workarounds by changing their course of action.  For restaurants and others, they are going to “drive thru” or delivery of their product or service.   Many have adjusted their procedures through technology: working from home, telecommuting, connecting through chat, Facebook Live, other conferencing apps.   Even teachers are able to see their students and students see their teachers through these apps, but not our Priests. 

Many of the Diocesan Priests have implemented some of the same procedures to provide “service”. 

Yes, some are offering “drive thru” Confessions or have adjusted the setting for Confessions to accommodate Social Distancing, but this is adding even more stress in hearing Confessions than normal, especially during this holy season.  They not only have the stress of increased participation during Lent, and, thus feel pressure to not take too much time with each person, but they have lost the intimacy that is so very important in this Holy Sacrament.  Can you imagine how their hearts are torn when looking up and seeing a line of cars waiting – joy that their people care that much to receive reconciliation, but oh how sad to be doing so in these conditions.

Yes, they are continuing to pray Holy Mass for their flock, but the Mass is meant to be a communal prayer where we lift our voices, prayers, praise, and worship in one voice to God our Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  For many, it is not even in their normal settings.

Yes, they are offering Mass live (or video tape) through technology.  We can see, hear, and pray with them, but they cannot see or hear us.

Yes, they are reaching out to us via e-mail, text, FB, etc., but are not having the one on one experience that is part of their daily lives.  The written word is not always perceived as intended.  Phone conversations are not the same as counseling someone in person.

There are so so many more stresses of this pandemic that can be mentioned, but especially in the life of a Diocesan Priest.  They experience EVERYTHING we experience and take on our burdens as well.

Even the most introverted Priests must be feeling the isolation.  It is totally against the very nature of their vocation to not be among “their people”.  Good and holy Priests are under constant attack by the devil.  Do not doubt for a moment that he is taking full advantage of this situation.

So I implore you, children of God, pray!  Pray for us all, but pray most devoutly, most diligently, and most sincerely for our Priests.  Pray for them as a whole.  Pray for them by name.  Pray for them often!