On June 29, 1951, Joseph Ratzinger was ordained a priest.
I was visiting Rome with a friend from Raleigh, N.C. In our brief conversation with him, Card. Ratzinger expressed interest in the region between North Carolina and Washington, D.C. He admitted to knowing little about the “upper South,” and wanted to learn.
Anyway…On June 29, we solemnize the memory of the twin patrons of the church of Rome, Saints Peter and Paul. This year, the Holy Father will celebrate the 60th anniversary of his ordination. He has asked the entire Catholic world to pray for vocations to the priesthood as a way of wishing him a happy anniversary.
It also happens that June 29 will be the day when your unworthy servant will begin my ministry as the pastor of both Franklin and Henry counties, Virginia.
My predecessor in Martinsville will be on the way to sunny Florida. My adventures up and down US 220 will begin.
Perhaps, then, dear ones, while you are praying for our Holy Father’s health, and for vocations to the priesthood throughout the world, you could also say a little prayer for this gangly numbskull.
…By the by, we have come around the three-year cycle to another “summer of Romans” (St. Paul’s letter, that is). This summer I intend to preach on Matthew 13 instead, but if you have any interest in the prattlings I made three summers ago, you can click HERE.
Father Mark White Blog 
Think of you often, and pray for you daily.
Father….Laurie and I keep you in our prayers every day. Drive carefully, as I know those Appalachian highways quite well, and they can be a problem, especially in poor weather…..Bill
Fr. Mark,
Always, a prayer on my lips, and a song in my heart. And, the World’s a better place that it’s not the other way around.
Hoping that turn about is fair play!
LIH,
joe