Adorers of the Eucharistic Face of Jesus

A Thursday of Adoration and Reparation
For the very first time, our embryonic monastery observed the Thursday of Adoration and Reparation for Priests. Being three, we were able to prolong our adoration before the Eucharistic Face of Jesus for the sake of our brothers, His beloved priests. Our tiny oratory has become a sanctuary of adoration, and this in response to the particular mandate given us by Bishop Slattery.
Saint John Leonardi
Also today, my Benedictine confrère, Father Samuel Weber, sent me the text of the Holy Father’s General Audience for the 400th anniversary of the death of Saint John Leonardi, Founder of the Clerks Regular of the Mother of God, and patron saint of pharmacists. The whole text is worth meditating, especially in the context of the Year of the Priesthood, but the following lines went straight to my heart:
The Splendor of the Holy Face of Jesus

Saint John Leonardi’s existence was always enlightened by the splendor of the “Holy Face” of Jesus, kept and venerated in the Cathedral Church of Lucca, becoming the eloquent symbol and the indisputable synthesis of the faith that animated him. Conquered by Christ like the Apostle Paul, he pointed out to his disciples, and continues to point out to all of us, the Christocentric ideal for which “it is necessary to divest oneself of every self interest and only look to the service of God,” having “before the mind’s eye only the honor, service and glory of Christ Jesus Crucified.”

And the Maternal Face of Mary

Along with the face of Christ, he fixed his gaze on the maternal face of Mary. She whom he chose patroness of his order, was for him teacher, sister and mother, and he felt her constant protection. May the example and intercession of this “fascinating man of God” be, particularly in this Year for Priests, a call and encouragement for priests and for all Christians to live their own vocations with passion and enthusiasm.