Archbishop Soderblom of Uppsala in Sweden won the Nobel Prize in 1930 for his work in promoting international understanding. Later, tired and worn out, he requested the king to release him from his work so he could retire to a small island where there was only one church and a few hundred people. “Ah, yes,” said the king. “I know that island. It needs a postman. I would like to be that postman.” Their eyes met. The archbishop felt ashamed. He was being reminded his vocation was to change the world, not leave it.

—From Father Edwin J. Duffy’s book “Father Duffy’s Reflections.” Father Duffy is pastor emeritus of St. Pius X Parish in Manoa