Tears came to the little butterfly’s eyes. Shaun was going to be a priest! She could hardly believe it! She squeezed her little butterfly hands together in a quick prayer of thanksgiving and then flitted happily up to the choir loft to find her friend, Victor the cricket.

The more the little butterfly rejoiced in this great news, the more Victor frowned and questioned...” The little butterfly explained gently, “Victor, a man becomes a priest because God is calling him. If a man is called to be a priest, nothing could make him happier, it’s all he desires!”

+ + +

Victor ached all over and began to wonder if he would ever see daylight again. When the suitcase finally opened and Victor blinked his eyes, he realized that he was in a completely different place. Paint was peeling off the walls in a small, drab room. Everything seemed like a bad dream. The church looked almost as bad as the rectory, Victor could only shake his head. They never would have allowed their beautiful church at home to get into such a state. Victor’s heart was crushed with homesickness.

Father Shaun celebrated Mass while Victor watched gloomily. He couldn’t understand why Father Shaun seemed to be so truly at home here. But to Father Shaun, God’s house was beautiful simply because Christ dwelt there in the Blessed Sacrament and in the souls of those who love Him. Father Shaun loved being here among the poor and downtrodden, for it was to these that Christ came.

+ + +

Victor was feeling more and more sorry for himself. Pesky little creatures kept coming to him, and though he didn’t really want to become their friend, he humored them with stories of the large world outside their parish and city.

Then one day, news of a major crisis reached Victor. An old building project in the neighborhood was condemned to be torn down. All the people were grief stricken that they were losing their home. Victor still couldn’t imagine why. They ought to be glad to get rid of that old building...filled with bugs and infested with mice.

“The mice!” Victor thought suddenly, “surely they’re out.” As he hopped into the building, all was in chaos. The little group of orphan mice was forgotten by everyone. The mice hugged Victor and squeaked their gratitude for saving their lives. As he hugged the little mice, he realized that he had really been scared for them. He had been so scared for them that he didn’t even think about himself! Victor felt a strange joy inside. He had never in his life felt this way. He didn’t deserve to feel so happy; yet he did.

+ + +

The next morning, Victor excitedly hopped into Father Shaun’s pocket, eager to begin the day. Mass had never been more beautiful! As they left the church, there was that poor man sitting on the steps as usual. It was amazing, he was so grungy looking, yet.. that smile, those eyes. When Victor looked into the man’s eyes, his heart began to break. This poor man! How could he have been so critical of him? Tears rolled down from Victor’s eyes. He never realized until the man looked at him how selfish he’d been. He began to sob. Victor’s whole life was changed. He was no longer the same cricket.

+ + +

All the creatures came to know and love Victor. Father Shaun and Victor spent more time than ever in prayer, begging Jesus to show them the way and help them to care for the flock which was now so scattered and frightened. Victor found it easy to recognize Dear Jesus now, and he loved Him dearly in all His downtrodden and poor brothers and sisters. But the poor beggar on the front steps was no longer there.

+ + +

The butterfly listened quietly as she gazed down upon the rooftops and watched the glow of lights in the windows turn on as darkness fell over the city. She was so happy for Victor. He had finally found his vocation in life and he was truly happy for the first time. The little butterfly breathed deeply as she and Victor looked up at the stars.

They prayed for priests everywhere, that God would lead them to Him through the greatness of their vocation. Because of Christ’s gift of the priesthood, His Church would last forever. He would continue to call young men to lead and care for the flock so that the Community of Saints in heaven would be as numerous as the stars!