When we see testimonies of happiness in the midst of great suffering, we ask ourselves: what do they have that I don't have? In this episode of The Priesthood, we will see how Father David Howell, a diocesan priest from Southwark, England, asked himself this question when he went on pilgrimage to Lourdes at the age of 17. The experience had such an impact on him that his life changed 180 degrees. Fr. David went from being a troubled teenager to having a desire to put Christ back at the center of his life, to the point of considering the possibility of becoming a priest.

“I would rather be without skin,” exclaimed St. John of Avila, “than to live without devotion to Mary.” Fr. Victor Samugana reiterates this vital truth in this episode of The Priesthood. The fidelity of the priest lies in his devotion to Our Blessed Mother.

The Church needs holy priests who are a living image of Christ Himself. In this episode, Fr. Victor Samugana exhorts the faithful to pray for priests, that they may strive to have a perfect love for Christ. On the other hand, priests must never abandon their prayer life.

The priest has been chosen to be another Christ on this earth and has the power to turn ordinary bread into Our Lord. Fr. Victor Samugana talks about the Eucharist and the celebration of the Mass, which is indeed the “summit of prayer.”

The impact of one person’s “yes” to the Lord is unfathomable. Fr. Victor Samugana shares with us how he heard God’s call through missionary priests who came to spread the Gospel in his own country. He himself now serves as a missionary priest in Ireland. Thus, let us resolve to be faithful to God’s will in our lives. No matter how small and hidden it may be, Christ will see to it that our fidelity will bear much fruit.

Fr. Luuk Jansen encourages us to trust in Our Blessed Mother. With Her by our side, we will never stray from God’s will, nor should we fear when we have Her as our guide.