A clergyman carries a monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament during a procession in front of the Basilica of the Rosary in Lourdes, France, during the Oct. 2-4, 2025, “Rosary Pilgrimage,” organized by the Dominican order since 1908. OSV NEWS PHOTO/COURTESY LOURDES SHRINE

Editor’s note: In celebration of the Jubilee of Hope, The Western Kentucky Catholic has launched Pilgrims of Hope, a yearlong blog series inspired by Pope Francis’ Bull of Indiction of the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025: “My thoughts turn to all those pilgrims of hope who will travel to Rome in order to experience the Holy Year and to all those others who, though unable to visit the City of the Apostles Peter and Paul, will celebrate it in their local Churches.” Blog reflections will be written by individuals from across the Diocese of Owensboro, sharing their unique perspectives on the virtue of hope in a world that so greatly needs it.

BY FR. WILL THOMPSON

Sunday Mass had just finished, and I was looking forward to grabbing a quick bite to eat prior to visiting a couple of families.

As I was exiting the sacristy, the sacristan simply asked, “Father, how are you doing?” I responded rapidly, “I’m on this side of the grass so I am doing pretty good.” The sacristan invited me back into the sacristy and began to tell me a story about one of our older priests.

The sacristan stated, “Father ‘FairWeather’ was filling in one weekend as Father ‘VacationsAlot’ was gone. I asked Father FairWeather how he was doing. He came back with a joke about how he was doing better. I responded, ‘At least you are on the right side of the grass father.’ Father FairWeather turned to me and in a serious manner stated, ‘My entire life I have lived as if the opposite were true. I am a priest because I believe that what is next to come is much better than anything we ever have here on earth.’”

The sacristan looked at me and said, “Father, that has remained with me since he said it. I think you might need to remember it as well.”

Father FairWeather understood what our hope is. That it is not based upon the circumstances of daily life; instead it is based upon a belief that God is all good, powerful, and true. That God will give us the grace that we need for eternal life. Such a hope is not an easy experience, as it requires that we open ourselves to God’s grace. That opening to God’s grace is a process that takes time and concentrated effort upon our end.

Recently, I had a personal test of hope.

This past summer I was diagnosed with colon cancer. It is one of the most common cancers in the world. It was caught very early, but I remember the moment the doctor told me the pathology indicated that I had cancer, how numb I initially felt. I immediately went into the Church to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. For an hour, Jesus and I had a long conversation.

After that simple hour of prayer, I was not worried about what would happen. I remembered the story from Father FairWeather, but more importantly I remembered the love Christ had for me personally. I knew that whatever happened in the coming weeks would be what was needed in my life.

When I finally had all the information necessary to tell my family, the parish, and the bishop, I possessed a peace I did not expect. It was fascinating to me that others had a difficult time accepting the news. My family had a difficult time with the diagnosis and the rumors around town were that I was close to death’s door.  Deep down, I remembered that the reason I am a priest is due to that belief that what is to come is much better than what we can imagine.

That our God is one that desires to be united with us in every moment of our lives.

Officially now cancer-free, Fr. Will Thompson is the pastor of St. Peter of Alcantara Parish in Stanley and St. Augustine Parish in Reed, as well as serving as the promotor of justice in the Diocese of Owensboro’s tribunal.

To learn more about the Diocese of Owensboro’s celebration of the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025 visit https://owensborodiocese.org/jubilee-year-pilgrims-of-hope/.