Brother Thaddeus Lancton, MIC: 'To Be Another Christ'

Pope Benedict XVI has declared the year that began June 19, 2009, as a Year for Priests. The faithful are asked to pray for vocations and for the spiritual renewal of priests. We asked several of our Marian seminarians what the priesthood means to them. The following is the response from Br. Thaddeus Lancton, MIC:

I gazed at the full moon last night, the symbol of Mary. She shines the graces merited by Christ at Calvary to all people. To be a priest is to be another Mary. Offering my blood, my body, my very life for the sake of sinners, priesthood means to be another Christ.

Receiving the nails are taking the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, which bind me forever to Jesus crucified. The collar joins me to my bride; I wear no wedding ring besides the white that signifies my imitation of Christ chaste.

I cannot plan to live out the priesthood; I simply let the Holy Spirit direct me to the lost sheep. The priesthood is a business of persons; I purchase with sacrifice and love. The receipt is eternal life, where forever I will be offering praise and thanksgiving to God for so many graces.

To make a gift to help the Marian seminarians, visit marian.org/seminarians, or call 1-800-671-2020.
ISCD

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