My dear friends in Christ:

Throughout her history, the success of the Church's mission lies in a total act of faith in God. In doing so, the Church experiences profound freedom. This freedom allows each of us to participate in the Church's mission in various ways. Discernment is the process of discovering God's will for us and then our having the grace to generously respond.

The beloved Pope John Paul II of happy memory wrote an important exhortation on the priesthood in our day entitled "Pastores dabo vobis" which means, "I will give you shepherds." In that document, he explained that without priests the Church would not be able to live that fundamental obedience which is at the heart of her existence and her mission in history, an obedience in response to the commands of Christ (to) "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations." "Do this in remembrance of me." So, in obedience to Jesus the Eternal High Priest, the Church's priesthood announces the Gospel and renews daily the sacrifice of offering His body and His blood for the life of the world. In other words, the priesthood of Jesus Christ assures the human family that God is faithful to His promise that we shall have life and have it to the fullest.

If you are visiting our web site on diocesan priesthood for the first time, I want to encourage you to thoroughly browse along the many pages and links associated with it. If you are returning to this web site, I hope it is because you find the content helpful to you.

Whether you are personally exploring the possibility of ordained priesthood or you are simply learning more about it, I want to thank you for your interest. I pray that you may find it useful as we all reflect on the essential gift of the priesthood with which the Lord has given to the Church.

Finally, I ask that you remember our priests and seminarians in your daily prayers and those men who are exploring the possibility of entering the seminary. Please be assured of my prayers for you.

May God bless you abundantly.

The Most Reverend Richard G. Lennon
Bishop of Cleveland