AMERICA/PERU - Letter from the Archbishop of Lima to the clergy for the Year for Priests: “To live our vocation with the joy that comes from knowing we are Sons of God in Christ...”

Lima (Agenzia Fides) - “Joy is the characteristic that we should emanate in every aspect of our life: when we preach, when we celebrate the Mass, when we are at the office, when we administer the Sacrament of Reconciliation.” These were the words of Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani, Archbishop of Lima, in his letter to the clergy published September 21, Feast of St. Matthew Apostle and Evangelist, for the Year for Priests.
Beginning his letter with a quote from Saint Paul's Letter to the Philippians (4:4-7): “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!,” the Cardinal invites priests, especially during this Year, to “live our vocation with the joy that comes from knowing we are Sons of God in Christ. In a special way, through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, we participate in the One Priesthood of Christ. This joy also come from a heart that is pure and in love with Christ, who acts in each one of us priests.”
Cardinal Cipriani recalled that oftentimes the faithful approach priests with greater devotion and trust when they see them serene and joyful, transmitting the peace that Christ has placed in their hearts. “On the contrary, when we appear with a sour look on our face and with an air of annoyance, or with a tone of frustration or bother in our voice, the faithful think: this priest is not happy with his ministry, let's not bother him and let's go look for another.” The Archbishop of Lima, therefore, encourages priests to search deep in their own hearts for the motivations that can be an obstacle to that joy, in order to correct them or confess them, and continues: “In this Year for Priests, make resolutions for a serious and constant personal conversion, and be convinced that God's love for you is infinitely merciful and He is always seeking you out, to give you His peace and joy.”
Before concluding his Letter, the Cardinal Archbishop of Lima recalls that “the best vocational promotion is a joyful priest,” and encourages all the clergy to work intensely in this Year for Priests, on the path towards holiness, so that “the light of the call may shine before many young people.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 23/9/2009)