What really is the Priesthood?

In the “Directory On The Life And Ministry Of the Priest” (issued by the Congregation of the Clergy, March 31, 1994) we read:

“The ministerial priesthood finds its reason for being in light of this vital and operative union of the Church with Christ. As a result, through this ministry the Lord continues to accomplish among his People the work which as Head of his Body belongs to Him alone. Thus, the ministerial priesthood renders tangible the actual work of Christ, the Head, and gives witness to the fact that Christ has not separated Himself from his Church; rather He continues to vivify her through his everlasting priesthood. For this reason, the Church considers the ministerial priesthood a gift given to Her through the ministry of some of her faithful.” (Ch1,1) 

In the encyclical Decree on the Ministry and Life of the Priest we read

“Through consecration, the priest "receives a spiritual 'power' as a gift which is a participation in the authority with which Jesus Christ, through his Spirit, guides the Church" (Presbyterorum Ordinis, 2; 12.) 

And even more:

“…the identity, the ministry and the existence of the priest are essentially related to the three divine Persons for priestly service to the Church.” (Directory On The Life And Ministry Of The Priest; Ch1,3) 

This change to service happens through the laying on of hands by the Bishop - a priest becomes a totally different creature:

“- The term “vocation,” used with reference to the priesthood, is familiar to Americans. They understand that being a priest is not simply a job or a profession but a way of life. But people have trouble comprehending the church’s understanding that ordination to priesthood constitutes an “ontological” change in the man being ordained, that is, a change in being, not simply in roles. As the ordination ceremony makes clear, “he is a priest forever.” Ordination confers an indelible priestly character, which, as in the sacrament of marriage, can only be disavowed if for some reason the church determines that it was never valid in the first place. This means that priesthood cannot be removed by fiat. Even bereft of ministerial duties and trappings, priests remain priests.” (Cultures, Codes and Publics, Chester Gillis; America, Vol. 187 No. 3, July 29, 2002) 

This “ontological” change must happen for a purpose: man is a creature of this world – and God is a supernatural being who longs to bring us “home” to our native land = heaven = being in perpetual communion with Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  But we cannot on our own reach up to our God - we need help.  The priest takes the place of Christ, he participates in the being of Christ to such a degree that the action of Christ and the action of the priest become one.  This is necessary, for Christ is a divine Person and priests are mere human persons.  Through this union of the priest with Christ, the priest’s action becomes a divine action – without this “gift” from God, nothing would happen.  No Eucharist would become the Body and Blood of Christ, no Confession would end in the forgiveness of sins, no Anointing of the Sick would bear fruit - you get the picture, right?! 

For this reason, God Himself instituted the Sacrament of Holy Orders – a gift to His People on earth (CCC # 1536ff).  That does not mean that the priest is infallible though!  He can err as any human being can.  He is not a wizard who knows it all – but when it comes to the Sacraments – no matter how often he failed to make a correct weather forecast – when he stands there in the place of Christ – THE SACRAMENT DOES TAKE EFFECT!!!  Even if the priest lives a sinful life (God forbid) – when he stands there in the place of Christ – the Sacrament is valid!  It is God’s love for His people that He established this system – and it is a fail-proof system.  Priests ought to be respected because of what they stand for and not always what they do.

Priests are human, yet they touch the divine – their heart ought to be in heaven, their bodies on earth – they are a bridge to our eternal home.  Love them and please pray for them – they are our first line of defense against sin and evil in all its forms.  Maybe you want to consider talking to your children about the priesthood; and encourage them to consider to search their hearts to see if they have a calling from God as a priestly image of Christ in this world? 

Fr. Jean Baptiste Henri Lacordaire, O.P.(1802-1861; he was an atheist, a lawyer, then a convert to the Catholic Faith, eventually he became a Dominican priest); he wrote this about the priest: 

 Another prayer is simply titled as

A Prayer For Priests 

Keep them, we pray You, dearest Lord,
Keep them, for they are Thine -
Your priests whose lives burn fervently before
Your consecrated shrine.

Keep them, for they are in the world,
Though from the world apart;
When earthly pleasures tempt, allure,
Shelter them in Your Heart.

Keep them, and comfort them in hours
Of loneliness and pain,
When all their life of sacrifice
For souls seems but in vain.

Keep them, and O remember, Lord,
They have no one but Thee,
Yet they have only human hearts,
With human frailty.
 

Keep them as spotless as the Host,
That daily they caress;
Their every thought and word and deed,
Deign, dearest Lord to bless.  AMEN.

 Priests are your spiritual fathers – so please do use this title of “Father” – to help the priest to remember that he is on a mission from God, and for you to remember that he is God’s gift to you.

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Last modified: 06/21/07