The last step before his ordination to the priesthood was ordination as a deacon. In his time of prayer before receiving diaconate, mindful of his unworthiness, he invited Mary to accompany him and intercede for him.<\/p>\n
\nAs far as possible, I will not let a single day go by without reminding myself that with every day I am getting nearer to the priesthood; and, recognizing that I am totally unready to receive this sublime order worthily, I will humble myself profoundly before God, confessing my guilt for not having responded to the advances that his infinite goodness had in all truth desired in my regard, and begging him who has always covered me with his shadow, in his great mercy to forget my infidelities, to strengthen and confirm my resolutions, and to pour out anew on me in even more abundance, if it be possible, his grace and blessings, and not to let me misuse them as in the past.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Lastly, I will beg the Blessed Virgin Mary to take me under her protection and to intercede on my behalf.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Retreat in preparation for his ordination to the diaconate, May 1811. EO XIV n 85<\/em><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was also the experience of the Virgin Mary. At the message of the angel, she does not hide her surprise. It is the astonishment of realising that God, to become man, had chosen her, a simple maid of Nazareth: not someone who lived in a palace amid power and riches, or who had done extraordinary things, but simply someone who was open to God and put her trust in him, even without understanding everything: \u2026 God always surprises us, he overturns our categories, he wreaks havoc with our plans. And he tells us: Trust me, do not be afraid, let yourself be surprised, leave yourself behind and follow me!\u201d \u00a0 \u00a0 Pope Francis<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The last step before his ordination to the priesthood was ordination as a deacon. In his time of prayer before receiving diaconate, mindful of his unworthiness, he invited Mary to accompany him and intercede for him. As far as possible, … Continue reading