“Be close to your priests with affection and with your prayers, that they may always be shepherds according to God’s heart.” cf: Pope Francis, homily given at Rome, Holy Thursday, 2014
When one chooses to spiritually adopt a priest, he or she becomes as a spiritual mother or father to that priest ~ making the one-year commitment to support him as a true spiritual “son” through daily prayer offered lovingly and faithfully on his behalf. Mary became a true spiritual mother to St. John, and through him ~ to all priests. Through spiritual adoption sponsors participate in spiritual motherhood/fatherhood for priests. The commitment they make is a spiritual commitment; one that supports the priest, and in so doing, supports the very mission of the Church. In assisting one member-priest, the entire body of the Priesthood is thus strengthened.