Pray for our priests: ‘The Gift of Priesthood’

Earlier this year, priests from across the state of Louisiana worked diligently to prepare for what we hoped would be the 2021 Louisiana Priests’ Convention in September. Because of the spike in the Delta variant of COVID-19, we decided it would be prudent to postpone the convention, which would have attracted the participation of approximately 400 priests, to a later date when conditions would be safer to meet.

While we won’t be able to gather this year, I’m delighted that the Clarion Herald has been able to pull together reflections from priests and bishops across Louisiana about how they daily live out their priestly vocation. Those reflections are contained in a special vocations section entitled, “The Gift of Priesthood,” inside this issue.

The vocations issue is timely because Nov. 7-13 is National Vocation Awareness Week in the United States. It is dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renewing our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations.

Over the past year and a half, many dioceses have had a difficult time calling together their respective presbyterates for any kind of convention or diocesan meeting.

While we will have to wait a little longer for that to happen on a statewide basis, I lift up our priests who give of themselves in heroic ways to serve the spiritual needs of those entrusted to their care.

Someone asked me recently what the biggest challenge to priestly ministry has been over the last 18 months. Obviously, the COVID-19 pandemic has been the major challenge, along with the damage and disruption caused by Hurricane Ida in south Louisiana.

I have been deeply inspired by priests throughout the state for going the extra “three miles” to bring Christ to their people, to accommodate people for worship, to call the people of God forth in prayer during a time in which some people are becoming more hopeless and are experiencing financial and marital problems. In the Archdiocese of New Orleans, we know that the rates for suicide and attempted suicide have risen. We know that there are more family issues. Our counseling services are overwhelmed by the number of people who are asking for help because of depression.

Then there are financial issues, school issues, job issues. All of these problems are very real, and wherever people are suffering or struggling, that's where the priest needs to be to do what he can and try to point people in the right direction where they can get help.

Please remember to pray regularly for our priests and offer them words of encouragement. Those actions are greatly appreciated. Ask God to bestow on all priests the fortitude and strength they need to serve God’s people with joy.

Questions for Archbishop Aymond may be sent to clarionherald@clarionherald.org.