No priests, no Eucharist

Many popes, theologians, and saints have written about the importance of the priesthood. Each year, on Holy Thursday, we celebrate Christ’s institution of the priesthood...but how often do we really think about where we would be without the priests who serve us?

When I was young, I thought a lot about the priesthood. I remember in grade school, telling my class that when I grew up, I wanted to be a priest, an architect, and shortstop for the Detroit Tigers. The other kids laughed and said that was not possible, but my teacher, Sr. Berarda, came to my defense. Years later when I was a freshman in high school, after having been distracted about my vocation, I remembered what I had told Sr. Berarda and the class, and decided then and there that I wanted to be a priest. With the support of Fr. Passeno, a local priest in Traverse City, I applied to the high school seminary in Grand Rapids. To this day, I remember the question on the seminary application form, Why do you want to be a priest? My answer was these exact words, “I seek the salvation of souls.” I was accepted and began my sophomore year.

Though I knew I was a year behind the other boys, I was confident I could catch up. I lasted less than a year. The rector of the seminary told me that I lacked a vocation and told me, “When you pack your bags for Easter vacation, you’ll be packing them for good.” This was a crushing blow to me, not because it was the first time I had experienced a setback, but because it was so final. I was so confused by the decision and it was out of my control. It was not until years later that I really understood what had happened. My dismissal seemed to have more to do with my rowdy behavior, and the fact that I did not write home enough, than anything else… but that is another story.

Each of us, through the vocation God has for us, is called to seek the salvation of souls – including our own! Yet, I believe it is essential for us to recognize the critical role our priests. Simply put, without our priests, there is no Eucharist. Without our priests, there is no Reconciliation. We need not look far to see the impact of the vocations crisis in our country and around the world.

The seminary discernment process is long and arduous, as it should be, and there are certainly organizations like the Knights of Columbus and Serra Clubs who do much to support our seminarians. However, I think each of us is called to support and encourage our priests and do what we can, first and foremost through prayer, to foster vocations to the priesthood, because… no priests, no Eucharist.

TOM MONAGHAN is Legatus’ founder, chairman, and CEO.