retired priests – Madison Catholic Herald Archive (2001-2025)

To the editor:

In his inspiring Holy Thursday homily, Pope Francis declared, “I ask the Lord Jesus to confirm the priestly joy of those who have already ministered for some years.” He prayed that God gives them a “second wind” to help them faithfully serve.

Our 77-year-young pope continued, “I ask the Lord Jesus to make better known the joy of elderly priests, whether healthy or infirm. It is the joy of the cross, which springs from knowledge that we possess an imperishable treasure in perishable earthen vessels. May these priests find happiness wherever they are.”

Retirement has its blessings, challenges

On July 22, 2013, during the flight to World Youth Day, Pope Francis said that “Youth are the future.” He quickly added that “the aged are also essential.”

He stated that he did not want World Youth Day to be a meeting with young people in isolation because when we isolate them, we do them an injustice.

Like us, he said, they belong to a family, a culture, a country, and faith. To know who we are, and where we are going, it’s helpful to know where we came from.

Retired priest appreciates article about happy priests

To the editor:

I enjoyed Nancy Frazier O’ Brien’s article (October 13 issue) which was based on a recent talk by Msgr. Robert Panke, president of the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors.

Monsignor Panke stated, “Prayer is key to happy and healthy priests. A priest who prays at least 30 minutes a day “is less likely to be emotionally exhausted because Christ is feeding him.”