A Priest Forever

By: Ivonne J. Hernandez

We were out of town celebrating our wedding anniversary when we found out that the funeral Mass for Fr. Matt would be celebrated the day we were set to return home. We immediately decided to change our plans. We would check out of the hotel right after breakfast and drive straight to the Church. Thankfully, we had packed some clothes that would be acceptable to wear for a funeral, though our shoes were more casual than we would have preferred. That morning, traffic flowed easily, and we made it just in time for the viewing, which was happening right before the Funeral Mass. The casket was open, at the foot of the altar, as the faithful lined up to pay respects and say goodbye. When it was my turn, I just had to touch his hands. I thanked him for each absolution, each blessing, and each host I received, consecrated through those beautiful hands, hands anointed at his ordination.

‘Anointing with oil stems from the Old Testament and indicates that someone or something is being set apart for a sacred task or duty. The anointing of the hands signifies that the hands of the newly ordained priest are being prepared for the sacred duties and vessels which will be part of the priestly ministry, for example, offering the bread and the wine, anointing the sick and blessing people. The bishop says as he anoints the hands: “The Father anointed our Lord Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. May Jesus preserve you to sanctify the Christian people and to offer sacrifice to God.”’ (FAQs- Priesthood, Ordination, Seminary | USCCB)
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The priesthood of Jesus Christ is the greatest gift we have. Without the priesthood, we would have no Blessed Sacrament. Just as without Mary we have no Jesus, without priests we have no Eucharist. Their greatness comes from the One who acts through them, from the One they bring to us. The Eucharist is at the heart of the priesthood. During ordination, the Bishop hands the ordinand a chalice and a paten. He then says to them:

 “Accept from the holy people of God the gifts to be offered to him. Know what you are doing and imitate the mystery you celebrate; model your life on the mystery of the Lord’s cross.” 

One thing became very clear as I was sharing the news of our dear Fr. Matt’s death with parishioners and friends. He does not belong to any one of us, but he belongs to the family of God. Fr. Matt was very special to my family, with many memories of times shared. Still, everywhere I turned there was yet another story of someone who was impacted by his love for Christ and his Church. “We love Fr. Matt!” … “He heard my first Confession.” “He brought my son back to Church.” “He anointed my father at his deathbed.” When a priest offers his life at ordination, he leaves his mother and his father for his new bride, the Church. He, in union with Christ, offers his life as a sacrifice for us.

In a letter to Mrs. Tholin-Bost, St. Peter Julian Eymard writes:

​“My dear daughter, I am also writing to tell you my wishes and hopes at the feet of our Divine Master, the offering which I renew every day at 7:00, when it is my honor and happiness to serve as a priest at the altar of love, on the mystical Calvary. Therefore, I ask that Jesus may rule and live in you in the fullness of his spirit and love.” (February 9, 1853)

Lex orandi, lex credendi (Latin: "the law of what is prayed [is] the law of what is believed"). When we pay attention to the prayers of the Church, we can better understand what it is that we believe. At a priest’s funeral Mass, the deceased priest is vested as for the celebration of Mass, and the casket is placed with the head towards the altar, symbolizing the position the priest was in when he celebrated the Mass.  He is vested and in position… he is celebrating his own funeral Mass.

“You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” (Psalm 110:4)
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As we gathered in that Church to commend to God the soul of our dear Fr. Matt, we were reminded that the Church entrusts the souls of our dearly departed to our prayers. As much consolation as it brings to my heart to think that perhaps his longsuffering illness purged his soul and prepared him to enter heavenly rest, the truth is that we do not know. Our duty, now more than ever, is to pray for him and all the faithful departed. In this Jubilee Year of Hope, the Church gives us many opportunities to gain indulgences, which can be applied to ourselves or to the souls in purgatory, “so that the temporal punishments due to their sins may be remitted.” (CCC 1479) 

“They think I’m a saint… When I’m dead, they’ll come and touch holy pictures and rosaries to me, and all the while I’ll be getting broiled on a grill in purgatory. At least promise me you’ll pray a lot for the repose of my soul.” (St. Bernadette of Lourdes)
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We hope those who have gone before us will one day be in Heaven and intercede for us again. But unless (and until) the Church in her authority declares someone a Saint, we must pray for their eternal rest. If you are reading this, may I ask that you offer a prayer for the repose of the soul of Fr. Matt, and also bring to mind all the dearly departed that have a place in your hearts? And to echo St. Bernadette… when I die, please pray A LOT for the repose of my soul.

"Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen."
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Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, pray for us!

Ivonne J. Hernandez

Ivonne is a Catholic wife, mother, Lay Associate of the Blessed Sacrament, and President of Elisheba House. Speaker and writer, author of The Rosary: Eucharistic Meditations. Alongside her husband, Rick Hernandez, she coordinates the RCIA program at their home parish. A lover of choral music, Ivonne is a member of the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay. She and her husband live in Trinity, FL, with two of their young adult sons.