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3 DENVER CATHOLIC | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 Priests are not only called to fulfill the role of celebrant in the liturgies where these graces are given but their whole lives are expected to be conformed to this message. When priests are ordained, these words are spoken to them: "Understand what you will do, imitate what you will celebrate, and conform your life to the mystery of the Lord's Cross." 3 For the priest, the mystery of the Eucharist becomes his entire life. It is for this reason that his constant pursuit of charity and holiness is so vitally important; he is called to give his life as Jesus gave his life, seeking only the will of the Father. Interestingly, the Eucharistic Revival is con- cluding not with a holiness year, but a mission year. The transformation and growth in holiness must lead to the mission of sharing Jesus and the Gospel with others. Pope Francis encour- aged our nation in its efforts in the Revival, saying, "In the Eucharist, we encounter the one who gave everything for us, who sacrificed himself in order to give us life, who loved us to the end. We become credible witnesses to the joy and transforming beauty of the Gospel only when we recognize that the love we celebrate in this sacrament cannot be kept to ourselves but demands to be shared with all." 4 Jesus gave the Church the priesthood to make himself present to us in the Eucharist, to nourish us with his love, to increase our love for others and, importantly, to send us on mission. Let us not take these for granted. The revival we long for depends first on God's sovereign will but will come about through the ministry of those priests he has called to be conformed to himself. When priests are passionately in love with Jesus Christ, surrendering all to him, they will lead the faithful in the same pattern of life so they can be on mission in their families, the workplace, society and the world. The Eucha- rist nourishes all of us in this pattern of life. I encourage you to pray for the holiness of your priests, that they may fall more in love with Jesus each day and be on mission with him and with you, to bring the message of the Gospel to a world that so desperately needs it! 1 Pope St. John Paul II, Gift and Mystery: On the Fiftieth Anniversary of My Priestly Ordination, New York, 1996, pp. 77–78. 2 Pope Francis, "Address to seminarians and formators", April 4, 2024. 3 Rites of Ordination of a Bishop, of Priests, and of Deacons, §135. 4 Pope Francis, "Meeting with the National Eucharistic Congress Committee", June 19, 2023. 303.468.9885 • TheCatholicFoundation.com Call us to learn more Deacon Steve Stemper Deacon Tim Kenny Lisa Kukura Christine M. Hoyer Is our Church in your Will? If not, let us assist you! National Make-a-Will Month