And the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. Now they are ordained, the first members of an innumerable family. Holiness entered the world with Christ. The grace of Holy Thursday will be transmitted unto the end of time, unto the last of the priests who will celebrate the last Mass in a shattered universe. They are like to us and yet so different-a fact never more surprising than in this pagan age.
People say that there is a scarcity of priests.
In truth, what an adorable mystery it is that there still are any priests. They no longer have any human advantage. Celibacy, solitude, hatred very often, derision and, above all, the indifference of a world in which there seems to be no longer room for them-such is the portion they have chosen. A pagan atmosphere prevails all around them. The people would laugh at their virtue if they believed in it, but they do not.