The Catholic Priest

A 15th century piece of prose - 'His High Office'

(For all of our priests)

For priesthood exceedeth all other thing;

To us Holy Scripture do they teach,

And converteth man from sin heaven to reach;

God hath to them more power given,

Than to any angel that is in Heaven;

With five words he may consecrate

God's Body in flesh and blood to make.

He handleth his Maker between his hands;

The priest bindeth and unbindeth all bands,

Both in earth and heaven;

Thou ministers all the sacraments seven;

Though we kissed thy feet thou were worthy;

Thou art surgeon that cureth sin deadly;

No remedy we find under God

But only priesthood.

Everyman, God gave priests that dignity,

And setteth them in His stead among us to be;

Thus be they above angels in degree.