The priestly soul of a doctor

A medical doctor asks St. Josemaria how to avoid falling into routine at work. The answer is to have a "priestly soul", thereby bringing his patients closer to God.

A medical doctor asks St. Josemaria how not to act out of routine at work. The answer is to have a "priestly soul", to try to get his patients closer to God.

When you are washing your hands, putting on the surgeon's gown, putting on the gloves, think about God. And think about the royal priesthood that St Peter talks about.

Father, I'm a doctor.

Good.

Like the wonderful Chinese one you told us about. And I'm a surgeon and traumatologist. We see the most terrible things, Father, terrible! And we're with the sick people until their last moments. So we know that we run a big risk of getting used to it, acting out of routine. Father, at times like that, how should we bring, how should we impel, our patients towards God? What warning light will we get?

Remain in God's presence. Invoke the Mother of God, as you do. Yesterday I went to see a sick person, someone I love with all my heart, as his Father, and I understand the great work, the priestly work that you doctors do. But don't get proud, because all souls are priestly souls, right?

Yes, Father.

Put that priesthood into practice! When you are washing your hands, putting on the surgeon's gown, putting on the gloves, think about God. And think about the royal priesthood that St Peter talks about. And then you won't get bored, you'll do good to bodies and souls as well. Try it!

Thank you, Father.