The Catholic Spirit asked our readers to share the single best piece of advice they can offer a new priest.

The best single piece of advice I’d offer a new priest is the advice given to priests by the late Msgr. Ambrose Hayden, rector of the Cathedral of St. Paul, who always tried to live out these words every day in his own life as a priest: “Say your prayers and love the people.”

Maureen O’Brien
St. Louis King of France, St. Paul

Work very hard at developing your relationship with Jesus, who should be not only your Lord, but also your most intimate friend. Allow him to introduce you personally to the Father, who loves you more than you can imagine and wants to reveal his heart to and through you. Always, always seek and accept the work of the Holy Spirit in your life, that your priesthood will be empowered and guided by the Spirit. Never ever be afraid to share with those you encounter, whether parishioners, other priests, or total strangers, what God means to you and what you’ve experienced and learned knowing the Son, the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Ted Vernon
St. Mary of the Lake, White Bear Lake

My advice to a new priest is: Be a people person. Don’t be afraid to get involved with the people you serve. Don’t just call people your “friends” — be actual friends. Talk to everyone, learn their names and the names of their children, visit their homes. Work with your volunteers, doing all the simple tasks. March for life. Get out there, mingle. Don’t worry that you have to do everything. Your people will see what you do, and they will love each other and be true friends, and a fire will be lighted in your parish that will cause it to grow and flourish. Emulate Romans 12:9-13: “Do not let your love be a pretense, but sincerely prefer good to evil. Love each other as brothers should and have a profound respect for each other. Work for the Lord with untiring effort and with great earnestness of spirit. If you have hope this will make you cheerful. Do not give up if trials come, and keep on praying. If any of the saints are in need you must share with them and you should make hospitality your special care.” My advice: Be a people person.

Liz Kirkeide
St. Paul, Ham Lake

The ordination of priests is an ecstatic occasion. On this day, the Church receives a tremendous gift — new priests filled with zeal, joy, excitement and anticipation for their priestly ministry. This is a day of grateful jubilation! I would tell the new priests, “Remember.” Always remember that God chose you; you prayerfully discerned God’s will and responded generously. Remember this, especially at times when we, your flock forget, that you are a priest. Look at your anointed hands often and remember. Remember how God uses your hands to perform the greatest miracle on earth daily on the altar and to feed the faithful with Jesus’ body and blood. Your hands are often raised to bless and absolve the repentant sinner. Those anointed hands pour water on heads, baptizing them into the family of God. Remember it is your hands God needs to anoint his sick and dying children. Remember how much Jesus and the Church need you. Without priests, there is no sacrifice of Mass. A senior priest once told us of the practice of kissing the hands of a newly ordained priest, after receiving his blessing. What a beautiful and significant gesture of respect and gratitude! All new priests: We welcome you lovingly.

Lilee Perera
Nativity of Our Lord, St. Paul

“Readers Respond” is a new feature in The Catholic Spirit. Respond to our next question: What pilgrimage experience made a difference in your life and why? in 200 words or less to [email protected] with “Readers Respond” in the subject line.