This time of year is typically when men are ordained to the priesthood in North America.

Over the last few years, the priesthood has been deeply on my mind and heart.

I believe God has given me an awareness of the beauty and mystery of the priesthood, as well as their need for our prayers.

Please pray for all priests and for holy vocations.

And remember to give thanks to God for this incredible, incomparable and irreplaceable gift.

In honor of the priesthood, below are 8 quotes.

“And Melchiz′edek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, maker of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!’ And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.” ~ Genesis 14:18-20

“And he [Jesus] called to him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. So they went out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.” ~ Mark 6: 7, 12-13

“I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; but the married man is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. […] I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.” ~ 1 Corinthians 7:32-35

“If priests sin, all the people are led to sin. Hence every one must render an account of his own sins; but the priests are also responsible for the sins of others.” ~ St. John Chrysostom

“The priest holds the key to the treasures of heaven: it is he who opens the door: he is the steward of the good Lord; the administrator of His goods […] The priest is not a priest for himself, he is a priest for you.” ~ St. Jean Vianney

“The priesthood is the love of the Heart of Jesus. When you see the priest, think of Our Lord Jesus Christ.” ~ St. Jean Vianney

“The power of the priest, is the power of the divine person; for the transubstantiation of the bread requires as much power as the creation of the world.” ~ St. Bernardine of Siena

“I lived in the company of many saintly priests for a month and I learned that, though their dignity raises them above the angels, they are nevertheless weak and fragile men.” ~ St. Thérèse of Lisieux

God our Father, please send us holy priests, all for the Sacred and Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, all for the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, in union with Saint Joseph. Amen.