This is my sixth year in the seminary. I have been a deacon for two months now, and my time is now divided between the seminary (Monday through Friday) and the parish (on weekends). Every year, the rector of the seminary, in distributing the pastoral assignments to the seminarians, assigns some of them the task of going to these residences, and in particular that of taking an interest in the priests present, accompanying them, attending to the various services they need, etc.
In my second year I was sent to a nursing home run by nuns. We usually go in pairs, but that time I had to go alone. I remember that on the first day, standing up, before entering, I entrusted myself to the Blessed Virgin. I didn't know what I could do there, or how. It is always fortunate to know that the Lord is with us at all times, and all the more so if, as in this case, there is a chapel and a tabernacle. We always have, in every new situation, at least one Person we know, and this, for those of us who find it difficult to take the first step, is always a source of confidence.
I would walk around the residence, observe, get to know the people and, through them, I would ask questions and I will be part of it. He prays for me and advises me wisely from his experience. Occasionally we take a trip to a Marian shrine to pray the rosary together or make a pilgrimage; at those times, I think, is when we are most strongly united. Another surprise was meeting in the residence the priest, now deceased, who celebrated my sister's wedding.
They pass through our lives pouring out the grace of Christ, showering us with his blessings, and there comes a time when, precisely because of this, because they have given themselves fully to Christ, they have been left alone... But no! God is with them, and they already foresee here the eternal happiness that awaits them in heaven, and it is reflected in their faces. We do them a great favor by approaching them, by sharing our time; but much greater is the treasure they have and can leave us, if we take advantage of it.
Some exemplary cases
There is a sick and practically blind priest who has written more than half a dozen books. Naturally he needs help, but his limitations do not diminish his interest in books and his enterprising spirit. Some other priests and seminarians help him as much as we can. And perhaps that same passion has helped him to overcome the temporary situation of decay that he had a few years ago, produced by his illnesses.
A priest with the soul of an artist also resided there for a time, until his death. In his final period he was psychically handicapped by a severe illness. As long as he was conscious we cared for him with all possible affection, and also when he ceased to recognize people. I have always felt that the whole diocese is indebted to him for his efforts to recover and restore valuable old images.
Other priests have no special distinction, apart from having spent almost sixty or seventy years of their lives in the pastoral service of the faithful. How many people will have reached heaven thanks to the good shepherding of these priests! It seems to me that the mercy shown by them, day after day, is no small mercy, regardless of whether it can be counted among the charitable works in favor of the poor.
It might be thought that they have already done much for the Church and that, at their age, there is no more for them to do; but that would be a mistake. I am thinking of one of them, who is still alive, and how he spends the hours of his time praying without rest. Who can say that the hours he spent in his active pastoral work were more valuable than the prayers that now go up to heaven from his lips and from his heart? And, apart from this specific case, how much they all pray! Especially for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.
A well-known priest recently underwent cancer surgery. It was a long (eleven hours) and complicated operation, which, thanks be to God, went well. After the first days of uncertainty, he gradually recovered despite his advanced age. I tell this story because, during his long convalescence, a close relative was present; it was not possible for her to take care of the priest day and night by herself. But with good will and a little sacrifice, everything can be arranged. In this case, by relying on the reality of a priestly fraternity lived with care.
A group of priest friends established the necessary shifts to take care of the sick person, so that he would always be accompanied. It did not seem easy at the beginning, given the work that each one of us had to do; but with God's grace and that "plus" of sacrifice that I say, everything worked out. The nurses at the hospital were amazed at the number of priests who came to take care of the sick.
One of them told me how much interior good it did his soul to take care of this brother priest; to see his patience, his supernatural sense, even his good human humor, was an unforgettable lesson for him. And all of them experienced the same. It is always richer to give than to receive.
Diocese of Cartagena (Spain)
