I wish to beg your prayers over the next several days.
As you are certainly aware, this is shortest possible Advent season, with the fourth week lasting a mere several hours.
As a result, priests the world over (and others besides) will be extraordinarily busy about the work of the Lord. In less than 36 hours' time, I will celebrate six Masses. In this same time period, I will hear confessions for roughly one hours' time and sit "in choir" at the Christmas Midnight Mass and chant the Proclamation of the Birth of Christ. All of this on top of the preparations of changing from Advent to Christmas, rehearsing the chants and preparing the homily, working with the servers and visiting with people before and after the Masses.
As I'm sure you can well imagine, this promises to be one of the most exhausting two days of my life. Your prayers for strength and stamina for me - and for all priests - will be greatly appreciated!
Starting with 5:00am Simbang Gabi Mass on Saturday we have 20 Masses and two hours of confessions. I wil preside at 7 Masses, Saturday 5:00am, and 5:00pm, Sunday 5:00am and 10:00am, then 4:30pm and Midnight; and Monday at 10:00am.
ReplyDeleteI am in my 16th year of priesthood and have done this before. It is quite a ride, But an exhilarating one. Thanks for the prayers and know you are in mine.
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