With fervent joy and unbounded hope, St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe (1894-1941), the Polish Franciscan priest, mystic and martyr, answered the Lord's call to "come and die" for the sake of the Gospel. Whatever the circumstances, St. Maximilian brought the freedom of loving Christ "without limits" to others. In an act of profound faith and charity, St. Maximilian volunteered to die in Auschwitz in place of a condemned fellow prisoner he hardly knew.
As one seeking Ordination to the Priesthood in June, I am called to boldly embrace, like St. Maximilian, the joy and hope of the Gospel message. In times of rejoicing or suffering, I, too, have been chosen to bring that same love to others. Although it is unlikely that I will be called to endure martyrdom, I must imitate Christ by "dying to self" each day. Love of the Lord affords no compromise. The call of Christ to "come and die" is a lifelong process that should be a guiding principle for my life as a priest.

Being conformed to Christ through prayer and study is an endeavor marked by joys and trials. During the past five years in seminary formation, I have experienced a radical awareness of God's immediate, personal call. I recognize the fundamental reality of my complete dependence on Him. For me, holiness consists in more than external devotions and duties. Rather, it is a gift of self, a total openness to loving communion with the Triune God through configuration with and to Christ. This is the principal reason the priest is bestowed with the title, "Father." It is a reminder of his bond to the Trinity in response to the vocation from God the Father, to live in the Person of Christ, with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

As St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe demonstrated, through Baptism, we are all called to give witness to the truth that is Jesus Christ. In a unique way, the ordained priest not only represents Christ, but also acts in the name of the entire Church. By his willingness to "come and die", the priest will not only be promoting his own sanctification, but he will also be assisting the sanctification and salvation of others. It is the supreme hope of every priest that those who see him are led to Jesus Christ.

As a son of God chosen to partake in the mission and ministry of the Son of God, may the Lord provide me with the graces to make it so. Please pray for me and my brothers to be ordained, Timothy, Edward and Charles.