The Beggar Priest

A young man had a vocation to the priesthood, so his bishop sent him to study in Rome. He was ordained priest and served in his diocese for some years. Then his bishop sent him to Rome again on a course of further study.

While there, he used to visit a small church in Rome each day to pray. At the door of this church sat a group of beggars seeking alms, and one of these made him feel uneasy for some reason. After passing the man on the steps several times, he got the courage to approach him.

He said, "You somehow look familiar to me. Do I know you?" “

Yes,” the beggar replied, “I studied for the priesthood with you here in Rome.”

"You were ordained a priest?"

"Yes, however I encountered crisis after crisis in my life and eventually renounced the priesthood. I had my priestly faculties taken from me. I lost everything and am reduced to begging."

The priest could not get the beggar out of his mind, and prayed constantly for him. The course he was attending was drawing to an end, and the students were invited to receive individual blessings from the late Pope John Paul II. They were forbidden to speak to him personally. However, as the priest knelt to receive the blessing, his mind was so consumed that he blurted out: “Holy Father, please pray for a brother of mine who sits begging outside a church in Rome. He was ordained priest but has resigned the priesthood and had his priestly faculties removed.” He hardly had time to finish when he was hustled away by the attendants.

A few days later the priest received an invitation from the Vatican. He was invited to join the Pope in his private chambers for dinner, and was to bring his friend, the beggar priest. He hurried to the church and found the beggar. “Come quickly,” he said, “we are to dine with the Pope.” “Impossible,” replied the beggar. “How could I visit the Pope in this state?” The priest insisted and helped the beggar to tidy up. Together they set off for the Vatican.

They crossed St. Peter’s Square and entered by the great gates where they were met by a Monsignor, the Polish priest who was secretary to Pope John Paul II. He led them to the dining room where His Holiness awaited them. After introductions had been made, they sat down to a lovely meal. When it came time for dessert, the Pope signaled to his secretary, who rose, and beckoning to the priest to follow him, so the Pope could be alone with the beggar.

When the two were alone, the Saint John Paul II sat in silence for some time. He then slowly turned to the beggar and said,


"Father, please hear my confession."


The man sat is stunned silence.  He eventually blurted out "I cannot do that!  I have been renounced from the priesthood.  My facilities have been removed. I am no longer a priest." The Pope looked with loving eyes at the man, wagging his finger saying, "Once a priest, always a priest." After a long pause he continued, "As Bishop of Rome and Head of the Catholic Church I can restore your priestly faculties to you… but you would have to ask.” Through tears the man whispered, “Please Holy Father… please!”

The beggar offered his confession and had his priesthood restored. Then again, Pope John Paul made his request, "Father, please hear my confession." And so he did, and raising his hands, provided absolution to the Holy Father.

When they concluded their prayers and meditation he said: “When you leave here I want you to go to the church where you have been begging and seek out the parish priest. I am appointing you curate in the parish with special responsibility for the beggars who seek alms at the church door.”

There is spiritual works of mercy throughout the history of the church. The same compassion Saint John Paul II offered, to take in, feed, forgive and send out, is the same compassion Christ has for each of us. All we need is the courage to walk through that gate with our filth and rags and hope in our redeemer.