Wisdom for the next generation of men who strive to follow Christ, the Priest and Servant
by Fr. Brian Kane
Rector, St. Gregory the Great Seminary;
Director of Seminarians
“I beg you, I beg you, I beg you, be a man of prayer.”
Msgr. Thomas Wells looked over at me and said these words during the homily at my first Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Peter Parish in Lincoln 25 years ago this week.
They are just part of the wisdom he shared with me during my time in the seminary and at my ordination. In a letter he wrote to me before I was ordained a deacon, he shared a similar exhortation: “It is part of the genius of the Church that the diaconate comes before priesthood. What the Church tells us is that before we can stand in the place of Christ the priest, we must become Christ the servant.”
A friend recently asked me to share the graces of ordination weekend as a priest who works in formation of men for the priesthood. As I think about 25 years as a priest, and about the last 10 years of working with seminarians, Msgr. Wells’ words remain firmly in my mind and heart. It is my desire to share those same gifts, which I received, with others.
Msgr. Wells continues in his letter: “In terms of our pastoral role, there is nothing more important than our willingness to wash the feet of our people. Talk and sentiment have their place, but nothing more confuses and, ultimately, draws people, than our willingness to be their servants.”
He was right. Whether in a parish, or school, or seminary, it is a gift to be called to serve, and to help teach others to do the same. On ordination day, as we process into the Cathedral, my heart is full of gratitude for the call to accompany young men into the priesthood. There is a deep experience of priestly fatherhood as the new priests are vested and celebrate Mass for the first time. It’s the experience of being “Father.”
Much of fatherhood is carried out by example, quietly serving and encouraging when challenges arise. It is especially important when the challenges are great. Msgr. Wells continues in his letter: “The problem is, of course, that serving is a pain; it is boring, repetitious and it will sap your time and liberty.” He continues: “…ultimately all we have is prayer. The old marriage rite had a line in talking to the couple where, speaking of the challenges of marriage, it said, ‘perfect love can make it a joy.’ That perfect love, whether for married people, or a deacon, comes from God. Remain open to it.”
It has been a profound joy to look back on 25 years of priesthood, and on the gift of serving men who are discerning a call to the priesthood. I’m grateful for the wisdom that was shared with me, and pray that those gifts can be passed on to the next generation of men who strive to follow Christ, the Priest and Servant.
