Revisiting the priesthood

ON the occasion of the Chrism Mass which normally is

celebrated in the morning of Holy Thursday, it might be a good idea to

revisit the nature, importance and relevance of the priesthood which

unquestionably plays an indispensable role in the Church.

            There in that Mass which celebrates the anniversary of the

institution of the sacrament of Holy Orders, the whole clergy of the

diocese, led by its bishop, concelebrate and renew their priestly

promises.

            “Are you resolved to be more united with the Lord Jesus

and more closely conformed to him, denying yourselves and confirming

those promises about sacred duties towards Christ’s Church which,

prompted by love of him, you willingly and joyfully pledged on the day

of your priestly ordination?”

            That would be the first question the bishop would ask his

priests, and the second one is: “Are you resolved to be faithful

stewards of the mysteries of God in the Holy Eucharist and the other

liturgical rites and to discharge faithfully the sacred office of

teaching, following Christ the Head and Shepherd, not seeking any

gain, but moved only be zeal for souls?”

            These are the questions that we, priests, should answer

with utmost conviction, aware also that they require a continuing

effort to fulfill these promises with increasing love and generosity.

The priesthood is a never-ending, lifelong adventure of faithfulness

that demands endless efforts and sacrifice. Nothing less than genuine

personal sanctification is required here.

            I would like to ask everyone to pray for all priests so

that we, your priests, would be up to the demands of priesthood as we

accompany the people with our ministry in utmost fidelity to our

vocation as well as openness and versatility to the changing

circumstances and conditions of the world.

            I know that there are quarters who are asking if the

current model of priesthood as articulated fundamentally in the

Tridentine times and simply given “cosmetic” modifications, is still

relevant.

            They point to the dwindling of men entering the seminary,

the deterioration of the qualities of these men, plus the increasing

number of defections from the priesthood, as bases for their

questioning.

            Of course, this is an issue that has to be given due

attention. But what I can say is that we go through this issue very

slowly and with a lot of prudence. We have to know what can and should

change in the formation of priests and what should not change.

            To be sure, we already know what the identity of the

priest is, what his ministry involves, etc. We just have to figure out

how these essential things of the priesthood can be made to

effectively engage with the current and changing conditions.

            We need to look into the personal and collective means of

formation of the priests and seminarians. These definitely have to

continue to be updated, and the inputs of everyone as to how this can

be done should always be welcome.

            For now, what I can say is that priests should tighten

their identification with Christ as priest, take their continuing

formation seriously, and wage a never-ending process of personal

spiritual struggle and conversion.