How do priests pray? Fr. Josh responds to a listener question regarding the spiritual life of a priest and what requirements are placed on a diocesan priest for prayer. Additionally, Fr. Josh shares the story of an unnamed saint to emphasize the importance of a daily Holy Hour.
Snippet from the Show
We have to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Adoration of Christ is imitation of Christ.
Shownotes
Glory Story (2:20)
Listener Question (5:46)
Hey Fr. Josh, I love love love the show. I once discerned religious life with a community many years ago. When I was in that community, we had a very structured rule of life regarding our spirituality. I am just wondering what are the requirements of a diocesan priest regarding his spiritual life.
Saint Story: Unnamed Child Saint from China
The story of this unnamed child saint from China has circulated for many years. It has become so well-known that people have given her a name: Little Li. It is unknown if this truly was her name.
Little Li lived in a village in China. It is believed that she lived in the mid twentieth century during the communist takeover. When she was somewhere between the ages of seven and ten, government troops entered her village and imprisoned her parish priest. During this act, they broke into the Tabernacle and threw consecrated Hosts across the floor of the church.
That night, Little Li returned to the church even though it had been shut down and no one was meant to enter it. She was able to sneak in and there knelt on the floor and made a Holy Hour. At the end of her Holy Hour, she bent over and received the Eucharist by tongue. At that time, people only received the Eucharist by tongue.
There were 32 Hosts on the floor and Little Li continued this practice for a month. On the night when she received the last Host, she was caught and shot and killed by a soldier.
Resources
- Submit your questions and feedback to Fr. Josh by filling out a form at www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh
- Broken and Blessed by Fr. Josh Johnson
- Pocket Guide to Adoration by Fr. Josh Johnson
- Pocket Guide to Reconciliation by Fr. Josh Johnson & Fr. Mike Schmitz
- Ascension is pleased to offer our new and improved online bible study programs and sacramental preparation programs digitally to help you minister with flexibility. Go to ascensionpress.com to view all our offerings.
Meet Fr. Josh Johnson
While Fr. Josh was raised Catholic, he didn’t like the Church growing up. Then, one day in adoration, he fell in love with Jesus and received the call to become a priest.
Now, Fr. Josh is the Vocations Director of the Diocese of Baton Rouge in Louisiana. He is a presenter in four of Ascension’s programs: Altaration, YOU: Life, Love, and the Theology of the Body, The 99, and Connected: Catholic Social Teaching for This Generation, as well as the author of Broken and Blessed: An Invitation to My Generation, Pocket Guide to Adoration, and co-author of Pocket Guide to Reconciliation.
