What a life the Lord has given us

It’s ordination season time to praise God for the incomparable blessing of being a Catholic priest. Every so often the calendar brings together various events that remind me that the priestly life is really like no other, offering a privileged witness to the work of God’s grace in the world.

Last week began in New York with a conference on the sacred liturgy. Cardinal Raymond Burke was on hand for the keynote address, and in the traditional liturgy circles he receives thunderous laudations, not only for his liturgical teaching, but for his courage in defending Christian doctrine on marriage. In private conversation, Cardinal Burke’s priestly heart was all the more evident, a loyal son of the Church who speaks honestly and without rancour about the decision of the Holy Father to demote in a manner many considered designed to humiliate. Later in the week Cardinal Burke was in Ottawa to headline the 20th anniversary of NET, a movement rather different from traditional liturgy circles, but united in a fidelity to Catholic doctrine and a zeal to evangelize. That they would choose Cardinal Burke for their anniversary celebrations speaks volumes about how his service is valued in those parts of the Church which are most vibrant.

On Wednesday night, I had dinner with the Sisters of Life at their Visitation mission. Dinner with the Sisters is about as much fun as a priest can have, especially when two of them are former students of ours at Newman House at Queen’s University...