In my area, we are blessed with holy and wise priests so it was difficult to answer the question: "Who is my favorite priest?" When I decided who, I hesitated writing for only one reason: because of his great humility he would not want someone to write about him.

How does one write about a priest who is so intelligent, so respected and sought after as an author, a speaker, and great theologian? At first I viewed him as a priest drawing my husband away from me. Like a man dying of thirst and finding water, my husband would go anywhere to hear him speak. "I've never heard a priest speak the truth the way he does!" he'd explain.

Over the years, many incidents revealed a side to this priest that so endeared him to our family, such as his gentleness and wisdom. But even more, his great love shown when hearing confessions, particularly with children. When it was time for our oldest daughter to have her first confession he so willingly heard it. My husband and I waited with our other children across the hall in the residence where he lived. After a while, I anxiously peeked out the door to see if they were finished and saw this man walking hand in hand with my daughter to the chapel where they knelt together to say some prayers.

No matter how hurried he may be, he will stop at every toddler, every infant to give a nearly imperceptible blessing and offer a few words of encouragement to the parents. I think one of his greatest joys is learning of couples expecting a new baby. Another soul for the kingdom of God!

He humbly accepts rebukes and unkind words without retaliation. He has been misquoted, misunderstood and maligned but never rose to even defend himself. Instead he prays the more for that person and thanks God. I've heard him say with such profound gratefulness and acceptance, "I must have needed this humiliation," or "The pain inflicted on the body is nothing compared to the pain inflicted on the soul."

Others have told me of his great sufferings and perseverance to do the will and the work of God. Several years ago he went to Poland in the middle of winter. A friend would walk in front breaking a path through drifts of snow and gusts of wind. On and on they trudged so that Father would meet the only priest with a common language to hear his confession. This they did more than once during their brief stay. A difficult trip for most, it was even more difficult for one who not only has a weak heart but also has difficulty keeping warm.

Most importantly, I have never seen such great love for the Mass and the things of heaven. Once before surgery a nurse came in and saw him getting ready to say Mass. She told Father he couldn't say Mass because he must not take anything before surgery. "You could die during surgery if you eat!" His response, "Yes, I could, so what?"

I watch with amazement as this brilliant priest struggles to simplify the most complex theological concepts, which he does so well. Yet it is only because I have had the opportunity to work closely with him that I know he is struggling. Perhaps others would not notice it. He would never want anyone to know. With regret he once confided to my husband that he wanted to rewrite his earlier works because they were written in too complicated a manner. "If you want to grow in humility," he said, "write."

I so enjoy his quick wit and sense of humor even amidst his greatest suffering. Frequently, he must limit his activities because of ailments. Probably the two greatest crosses were the loss of his eyesight, which surgery has somewhat alleviated, and simply being unable to keep up the grueling pace he maintained in earlier years. He counts even these as joy. The great gift of suffering, God's finger of love, would prompt him to say, "Isn't this great!" Such sacrifice is liberating and is a wonderful opportunity to merit graces for ourselves and others.

I think of the Holy Family watching over him. How very pleased must our Lord Jesus Christ be as he gazes upon this priest who never wavers doctrinally and always loves, serves, and nourishes the flock of sheep around him, never counting the cost. May God continue to bless Father John A. Hardon, S.J. n