Thank God for our priests

Yesterday, in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, on the campus of the University of Notre Dame, I witnessed the ordination of two friends, Gerry Olinger (my former student) and Kevin Grove.  It was an amazing, beautiful day.  More than 100 priests -- many of whom are very close to my family -- concelebrated, and Peoria's (wonderful) bishop, Dan Jenky, presided.  My 8-year-old son, who has probably played football with a dozen of these priests, and who has said that, "after he retires from the NFL," he wants to be one, too, was mesmerized.  (He had the best seat in the house.)  As they were processing out, probably twenty gave him "high fives."  

These men have so blessed my life.  I am grateful to God for calling now-Frs. Grove and Olinger to the priesthood, and to them for answering.  What courage it shows, saying "yes" in these days, knowing that the joys of one's vocation will almost certainly be accompanied by unwarranted suspicion, snide jokes, and malicious attacks!  It was tempting for me, during the mass, to dwell resentfully on the fact that, despite the best efforts of some, I would certainly trust any one of them with the lives and well being of my children far more than I would a drawn-at-random plaintiff's lawyer, religion-beat journalist, or public-school administrator.  But, the occasion was just too happy, too joyful to stew for long about that.  Instead, I just thanked God for raising up these "men with hope to bring."