A Word About Priestly "Convivium"

Yours truly grew up with priests in sacristies and it was an honor. 

It was great to live the convivium in the rectory of the Church of Saint Agnes in the City of Saint Paul with our beloved pastor, Monsignor R.J. Schuler, PhD (1920 - 2007).  The conviviality was of such value to all of us in our formation.   

With love and respect some of us called him "The Boss."  He was a father to many.  Priests from all over the world gathered in that rectory to visit him.   They arrived from far and wide to attend the orchestral Masses that he conducted for many years in the parish.  We gathered for Solemn High Mass every Sunday and then lunch in the rectory.  So many memories.  The priest is different.  He is not his own.  He is both priest and victim.  And priests are not alone - they have each other and lay support.     

The priesthood is the world's greatest fraternity.  No priest needs an introduction to another priest.  And priestly convivium is all important.  No priest ought to live alone.  No man is an island.  The rectory packed with priests is what we had.  That was life for us.  And table conversation was where business got done and where knowledge was shared, and a hearty laugh was heard at every meal.  Everybody took their turn at conversation.  Some just listened.  And the famous Fr. Z was always there with his wonderful wit and wisdom. 

God bless these Aussies for their strong effort to build priestly fraternity: http://www.australianccc.org/.

Youthful priests, do what you can to unite and do the same.  Build it all on Solemn High Mass every Sunday, when and where you can.  The Lord will provide.  And the sitdown family meal after the big common Mass with linen table cloth and nice cutlery and linen napkins and the like with a few courses is really important.  The cook always prepared the meal the day before and would leave it with cooking directions and we prepared it together and cleaned up afterwards.  That is how it was done.