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In survey after survey, Fr Rossetti points out priests are a happy lot compared to almost every other profession. Priests love being priests precisely because of their relationship with God and God’s people. Fr. Rossetti drawing upon a life time of ministry to priests and bishops challenges both to deepen their relationships with God in Christ. The people of God expect priests to pray for them. This is one of the most solemn duties of a priest and praying for the people is one of a priest’s greatest acts of charity. It is a priest’s personal and profound relationship with God that makes it possible to be happy in the service of God’s people and to fight off despair and desperation that disappointments and sufferings can inflict on anyone. The main spiritual tools priests have are praying the Liturgy of the Hours, making a daily hour visit to the Blessed Sacrament, cultivating a love of Mary, and living constantly in the presence of Christ. It is precisely because a priest’s life is so busy and filled with activities that these practices are absolutely necessary. The demands on a priest’s time and energy are enormous. It is understandable how priests spend less and less time in formal prayer. It is precisely to these priests that Fr. Rossetti offers hope that they can in fact recapture the fire of the Spirit and renew their souls as they draw upon the priestly practices that have consistently turned men into heroes of the Kingdom of God, who are sincere, authentic, chaste, generous, and joyful.
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