As Father’s Day approaches, I find myself thinking about my own wonderful dad, as well as my husband, the father of our six children.

The love of good fathers leaves lasting marks on the lives entrusted to them, and their sacrifices matter more than we realize. Thank you, fathers and father figures!

I also find myself thinking about our priests. That may sound strange coming from a survivor of clerical abuse. I was sexually abused by a priest (now laicized) when I was 15. That sort of memory doesn’t just leave you overnight but, by the grace of God, there is life after abuse. His grace shines into even the darkest of places.

Catholic priests have become the subject of countless jokes, memes and bitter commentary, from both within the Catholic Church and without. Trust me when I say that I understand where the anger comes from. The scandals exposed horrific evil. We cannot deny that there have been priests who deeply violated their vocation and that leaders have failed in many ways. Those wounds should never be minimized.

Despite all of this, I refuse to speak about the priesthood only through the lens of scandal and betrayal, simply because that is not accurate.

Recently, Church leaders, including Pope Leo XIV, have spoken more openly about clergy burnout, psychological distress, and the emotional burdens many priests carry. 

In the wake of scandal, public distrust, isolation and enormous pastoral demands, many priests are exhausted. Some are discouraged. Others probably wonder whether their efforts and sacrifices still matter.

I want faithful priests to know that they do matter. Even when the road is difficult, as it often is, please persevere. We need you.

A bad priest deeply wounded me, but through the faithfulness and holiness of other priests, I was gradually led back toward hope, healing, truth and renewal.

It was a priest who gave my oldest brother, Matt, the last rites before he died of a heart condition back in 2001. He comforted and prayed with us in our grief.

It was a priest whom I chose as my confirmation sponsor — a priest who quietly and humbly lives out the demands of his vocation.

It was another priest who encouraged me through the trial of my rapist and many other difficult moments. That same priest presided over my husband’s and my wedding 18 years ago and reminded us that joy and love are closely tied to the cross.

It was a priest who anointed me many times throughout illness and modeled sacrificial love through his own suffering with cancer. He sat beside me when I nearly died from a heart condition and reassured me of God’s love for me. He sets a beautiful example for my husband, me, and our children. We chose him as our younger son’s godfather, and our older son chose him as his Confirmation sponsor, for good reason.

It was a priest — a pope — whose presence and words changed my life. During a meeting with other survivors of clerical abuse, Pope Benedict XVI reminded me, “There is always hope.”

These are only a few examples of priests who have shown me what spiritual fatherhood and the love of Christ can look like when lived with sincerity and sacrifice. There are priests who reflect Christ in their daily lives — who listen without defensiveness, treat people with compassion and respect, and live their vocation with humility, reverence and integrity.

In today’s climate, good priests carry the weight of crimes they did not commit. They minister in a world that is often suspicious of them before they even speak. Many are mocked simply for wearing a collar. Others carry loneliness, exhaustion or fear of failure.

There are many priests who have suffered deeply — some due to personal trials and others because of the sins of others. Yet, they continue to serve with fidelity and love. They have faced darkness and yet choose to stand at the altar and give their lives sacrificially for Christ and his people. Their witness preaches without words and matters more than they probably realize.

To those priests, thank you. Thank you for continuing to serve even when you feel wounded and weary. Thank you for remaining steadfast through scandal, criticism and discouragement. Thank you for your sacrifices.

Thank you for sitting beside hospital beds, hearing confessions, comforting the wounded and grieving, visiting the lonely, and offering the Eucharist day after day, even when you are tired yourself.

Thank you for defending truth even when it challenges cultural norms and the secular status quo. As a beloved priest friend of ours says, “Don’t be afraid to pursue the discipleship of Christ with courage.”

Thank you for showing us what spiritual fatherhood can look like. Your holiness helps bring healing to a Church still bleeding from deep wounds.

As Father’s Day approaches, I want to encourage fellow Catholics to thank their priests. I’m not talking about mere flattery. I’m talking about bringing them hope and support.

Pray for them daily. The devil hates the faithful ones who bring other souls closer to Christ. When priests fall, they inevitably bring souls with them. Holy priests are a living reminder that God’s love is real, healing is possible, and God is always at work.

Happy Father’s Day to our priests. Never underestimate the impact of your example, prayers and perseverance. You matter.