Marian Movement of Priests
Early
on in my “conversion”, four years into the priesthood, my experience
with Medjugorje coincided with an introduction to the Marian Movement
of Priests. Since I whole-heartedly believed in Our Lady's presence in
Medjugorje I thought it was most important to do what she was asking of
us. Our Lady in Medjugorje had words and direction intended to restore
a simple, true and mighty spirituality similar to the early Church. Our
Lady's words and direction to Fr. Gobbi of the Marian Movement of
Priests were intended to renew and reform more specifically the priest,
her priests' who belong to her when they consecrate themselves to her
Immaculate Heart.
My
life has never been the same! The doubts and concerns I had about the
priesthood in my first 4 years were eventually resolved within a year
or so after my consecration to her. The consecration simply involves
the giving over of your life to her. I did this one day while on my way
to work when I was working to train in addictions counseling with the
potential idea of leaving the priesthood. I said, “Blessed Mother, you
have my life. I am sick and tired of trying to figure this out on my
own. If there is anyway you can use me, as long as I am on this earth,
for the betterment of the world then you have my life. You show me the
way to live it”. And she took it! Within that very day and weeks to
come she showed me, even with some mystical happenings in my life that
in many ways continue to today, that she was very real and present to
me. After my consecration to her Immaculate Heart it became apparent to
me that Our Lady needed more faithful priests not more alcoholism
counselors. She took my life, and upon reading and trying to live her
messages my vocation to the priesthood was more and more restored to
the pattern I believe Jesus desires for His priests because we are
being formed by her who helped form Jesus Himself. My vocation now
belonged to her.!
My
hope and prayer is that more priests may find the fullness of the
priesthood that I believe only the Blessed Mother can help us discover.
Without her we can't stay humble enough, nor docile enough to the Will
of God. I've heard that this understanding and spirituality, of
incorporating the Blessed Mother into a priest's devotional life, was
strongly encouraged in past times. It was news to me! That's why,
because of my experience, I believe that not only is devotion to her
important but because of the tremendous pull of the culture away from
God for laity and priests alike, the consecration to her is imperative!
By belonging to her, the devil can no longer get us; tempt us yes, but
we are out of his grasp protected by her because we now belong to her.
This is why the devil tries to frustrate anyone from getting to know
her ie. doubt Medjugorje, criticize Fr. Gobbi, mock Fatima, reason away
the miracles…, it's all a bit of pride that gets in the way of a
simple, trusting, childlike faith!
For more information on the Marian Movement of Priests check out www.mmp-usa.net .
