In the Voice of Moreau: The Cross is the icon of authentic priesthood. Transcending the geographic bounds of the Temple, our crucified Lord’s sacrifice on Mt. Calvary is first and foremost a missionary act that is meant to be proclaimed through all nations, cultures, races and historical periods. His altar is the instrument of execution that has been thrust upon him. His offering is his very own body. His prayers are the simple words of honest human emotion: Why have you abandoned me? Into your hands, I commend my spirit. And the key which harmonizes these elements and makes this Mass perfect? A pure intention, a Sacred Heart. You and I are called to be priests too. At this moment, exactly where our feet stand, we are invited to concelebrate, with our Master, the cruciform liturgy that gives Life. Let our desks, kitchen tables and computer screens be the places where we decide daily to make an offering of ourselves to our heavenly Father. Let our hearts be converted to the pattern of taking up our daily tasks, dedicating them to the most holy God, and literally executing them for the salvation of the world. Let us indeed be priests forever. Ave Crux, Spes Unica!
Holy Cross Educator’s Response: As Holy Cross educators (sisters, priests, brothers and lay collaborators) we are members of the authentic priesthood. Let’s dedicate our vocation as educators as our first Eucharistic concelebration. Our offering to God is the students entrusted to our care for their intellectual and moral formation. Each lesson plan is Eucharist for our students guaranteeing that our priesthood is a genuine oblation–a sacrament. At the beginning of each day, each class, and each prep period, make the prayerful intention to design and implement all as a celebration of the liturgy that gives life. Let us assist our students to know that they, too, are priests: that they are Eucharist for each other. Let us create classrooms that are Church built around an altar where all gather in adoration and prayer for a world desperately in need of Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Our Lord. Let us conscientiously take on the role of priest and raise the cup and the plate with the wine and bread of adverbs and adjectives, protons and neutrons, theories and dictums, reading and writing, minds and hearts. May we be imbued with a single desire: to be transubstantiated because we “ are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that [we] may declare the praises of Him who called [us] out of darkness into His wonderful light” ( 1 Peter 2:9).
Voice of Moreau 