I was moved and encouraged by the letter of Pope Francis to priests yesterday on the 160th anniversary of the death of the patron saint of priests Jean Vianney.

Perhaps especially these days in a climate that values visible achievement and secular measures of success (let’s not forget the challenge of yesterday’s gospel Luke 12:13-21), the life of a priest seems to have no value and a priest will struggle to speak about the beauty and profound meaning of his ministry in a way that makes sense to others.

I am deeply grateful to those who support me in my desire to live fully as a priest.

I’m also grateful to Pope Francis for this letter to priests. He understands well what it is like to be a priest today.

You might take five minutes to reflect on what he has written. Reading this letter will give you an insight into something of the beauty and challenge of life as a priest today.

Click on the image to read Pope Francis’ letter.