July 22, 2007

I’ve been a priest now just over two months. I’m still trying to understand what happened to me. At least at this point I’m able to understand why Pope John Paul II spoke of the priesthood as a “gift and mystery.” All I can really say, therefore, is that I’ve been and am overwhelmed by the mystery… I’m really lost for words. I sense that I’ve entered into something that is beyond this world; not that I feel different, but that I understand that Jesus is making use of me to continue His work of salvation. He is making use of my humanity to communicate His divinity and His saving mercy.

Without the eyes of faith I would be totally lost. That is, I could not grasp the incredible gift that the priesthood is. What a power the Lord has given me; how frail and oblivious I am. It is amazing how much trust God puts in His creatures!

But I am a priest forever—eternally united to the priesthood of Christ. Please pray for me and the other friars recently ordained that we may be more open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and truly reflect the love of Jesus, who loves us until the end!

Fr. Augustine Mary Conner, CFR

St. Pio Friary, Bradford, England