Pope Benedict XVI ushered in a “Year for Priests” on June 19, 2009, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  The year-long celebration will officially end on June 11, 2010.  In light of this, I reread Gift and Mystery written by Pope John Paul II to mark his fiftieth anniversary of priestly ordination on November 1, 1996. 

In his usual easy writing style, John Paul II weaves his own autobiography into the theological dimensions of the priesthood.  He had attended a clandestine seminary, and was the only seminarian ordained on the feast of All Saints Day in 1946, when his beloved Poland was occupied by the Nazis during World War II. 

It was during these early years of integrating his secret studies with the imposed physical quarry labor expected of him which shaped his ministry of “worker-priest.”  He writes that during this period of his life, he forged a great respect for “human worth and dignity.” 

Embracing this tenet, Pope John Paul II recalled lying prostrate during his ordination and accepting his role as the “pasture floor” for his sheep to walk upon.  He concluded that “there can be no priesthood without the Eucharist.”  Like Peter before him, he was called to be as Jesus Christ, shepherd and redeemer, “the same yesterday, and today and forever” (Heb 13:8).

This year, as we pray for our priests who shepherd us in the name of Jesus, may we also remember those, who like Pope John Paul II, have dedicated their lives for our sakes.  May they rest in peace. 

Joanne Bennardo