269. When a Man Becomes a Priest
When a man becomes a priest there is joy.
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| The village band lead the procession of Fr Matteo's First Mass |
The joy of the vocation transpires not only in him but also in the community around him. It is as if, just like a firework, joy suddenly flares up and illuminates the whole scene. But unlike a firework it does not instantly fizzle out- it lasts and lasts....
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| Our PP stops mid-stream as he recalls the day of his consecration |
The joy lasts even decades after a man becomes a priest as our own parish priest when recalling the moment he was consecrated, he stopped, overcome by emotion and the people in the congregation burst out in an applause which gave him the presence of mind to continue his homily in welcoming a newly consecrated priest from our community.
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| The congregation encourages our PP to continue |
Now, Father, Matteo D’Arsie from the parish of Cappella Maggiore in the province of Treviso who was recently consecrated in the Cathedral of Vittorio Veneto said his First Mass in the said parish and in spite of the arduous task that undoubtly awaits him, one could see the joy and serenity that can only come from within oneself.
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| The newly consecrated priest Fr. Matteo |
As a priest he will have to carry many of our burdens in future- because that is what priests opt to do when they become consecrated and if some do otherwise, then they have allowed themselves to be snatched away by other powers... for that is our prerogative as humans, we have been given free will; we can choose to do right or we can choose to do wrong.
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| Lunch as Fr Matteo overseas his friends |
Fortunately I’ve noticed Fr Matteo has big, hefty shoulders- he’s going to need them.
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