Identity: A Priest - Lacordaire

To live in the midst of the world
 
without wishing its pleasures;
 
To be a member of each family,
 
yet belonging to none;
 
To share all suffering;
 
To penetrate all secrets;
 
To heal all wounds;
 
 

To go from men to God
 
and offer Him their prayers;
 

To return from God to men
 
To bring pardon and hope;
 

To have a heart of fire for Charity,
 
and a heart of bronze for Chastity
 
To teach and to pardon,
 
console and bless always.
 

My God, what a life;
 
and it is yours,
 
O priest of Jesus Christ.