The distinguishing mark
of priests is a participation in the priesthood of the Son of God,
who has given them the power to sacrifice
His own Body and to give
it as food, so that those who eat it will have
eternal life. That's
a totally divine and incomparable characteristic, a
power over the
Body of Jesus Christ that angels admire, and a power
to forgive the
sins of the people, which is a great source of amazement and
gratitude to them. Is there anything greater and more admirable? Oh,
What a great thing a good priest is! (SV XI, 6)
