An overdue post!

When I began this blog back in 2012 at the urging of my friend Allison, it was to share my experiences of being a seminarian while studying Portuguese in Portugal for 6 weeks during my first summer. Later in the Fall of 2012 when I was asked to study theology at the North American College in Rome, I decided that I would keep the blog going as a way to share the experiences and blessings that came from "Roman Around."

Since finishing my studies in Rome and returning to the United States, I guess I figured I don't need to be posting a lot anymore...not that I was blogging daily from Rome!

However, I've been thinking about it recently, and if I can make an attempt to evangelize thorough Instagram with pictures, I can certainly make a more concerted effort to evangelize through my blog. I can do this by sharing experiences that happen that make me realize how blessed I am to be called to this vocation and I can share excerpts from my homilies and teaching reflections as a way of fulfilling my role as sharing with the Bishop as a teacher of the faith.

Today I'd like to share a beautiful quote that I've loved since the first time I read it. It made such an impact on me that I used it in my First Mass Program (thanks Carolyn!). Many priests can identify with each line of this prayer from Jean-Baptiste Henri Lacordaire, O.P. (1802-1861), entitled "Thou Art a Priest Forever":

"To live in the midst of the world with no desire for its pleasures; 

to be a member of every family, yet belonging to none; 

to share all sufferings; 

to penetrate all secrets, to heal all wounds; 

to daily go from men to God to offer Him their homage and petitions; 

to return from God to men to bring them His pardon and hope; 

to have a heart of fire for charity and a heart of bronze for chastity; 

to bless and to be blest forever. 

O God, what a life, and it is yours, O Priest of Jesus Christ!"

Praised be Jesus Christ...

(...now and forever!)

--#RevKev