Priesthood is a vocation that requires courage and self-sacrifice, but it's also a way of life that is filled with joy and satisfaction.
The call to be a priest comes from Christ through many diverse people and situations. Some men hear the call in grade school through their parish priest or a family member. Others receive the call when they are older — sometimes well into a professional career. In every case, the call is personal, an invitation from our Lord to know and love Him intimately, to be a man for others, to live simply and to grow in holiness through a life of prayer and service.
Like all Christian vocations, priesthood requires surrender and self-sacrifice. It means embracing a lifestyle that demands discipline, obedience and a lifelong commitment to serving God's people as a spiritual father and a companion on the road to heaven. Being a priest is a challenging vocation in every age, but especially today. Why? Because everything in our culture argues against being a "man for others." Instead, we are urged to look out for our own interests — first and foremost.
Studies show that the majority of priests today are joyful and fully satisfied in their chosen way of life. In fact, the vast majority of priests are not only happy in the priesthood, they readily admit they would do it all over again if given a choice.
Of course, there are challenges and stress in the priesthood. Pastors today have more responsibilities and fewer resources than they did to a generation or two ago. To be responsive to the needs of their people, and to be present at key moments in the lives of their parishioners, our priests serve long hours and are "on call" at odd hours of the day and night.
Vatican City (CNA) — Celebrating the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood at a recent Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, said the mission of the priest is “to bring heaven down to earth, to bring about the communion of all men and women with God.”
During his homily at the July 6 Mass in Rome, the cardinal explained that the mission of the priest “consists in giving hope to people, in proclaiming that God is good, in alleviating the sorrows of the afflicted, in bringing the meaning of heaven to those who overwhelmed by the tribulations of this earth.”
“As a priest and bishop many times I have experienced the beauty and strength of the Gospel of Jesus, which is truly capable of changing the lives of people,” Cardinal Bertone noted. “In order to understand the live of a priest, one doesn’t necessarily need to ask what a priest does, but rather who a priest is.”
A priest, explained the prelate, “is someone in love with Jesus Christ, his friend.”
“I have also increasingly experienced in these 50 years that the priesthood is an intimate relationship of friendship with Jesus,” he added. “This divine presence has accompanied me and protected me always.”
The cardinal then pointed to Pope Benedict XVI as a “luminous example” of the priesthood and someone who calls on priests to deepen their friendship with Jesus and exhorts them that “ecclesial communion is the basis for an incisive evangelical testimony.”
Pope Benedict XVI declared a “Year for Priests” beginning with the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 19, 2009. The year will conclude in Rome with an international gathering of priests with the Holy Father on June 19, 2010.
As part of the year for priests, the Church has provided the availability of a special plenary indulgence (what is an indulgence?) on any of the following days left in this Year for Priests:
The first Thursday of the month (tomorrow, June 3, is the last 'first Thursday' during the Year for Priests)
The closing day of the Year for Priests (June 19)
In order to receive this indulgence on one of these days, the faithful must attend Mass in an oratory or Church and offer prayers to "Jesus Christ, supreme and eternal Priest, for the priests of the Church, or perform any good work to sanctify and mould them to his heart." The conditions for the faithful for earning a plenary indulgence are to have gone to confession and prayed for the intentions designated by the Pope.
Pictured at right is the official icon commissioned by the USCCB. We are blessed in the Archdiocese of Saint Louis with over 420 priests (including eight newly-ordained priests for 2010), and we pray for and thank these men for their dedicated service!
Archbishop Robert J. Carlson has announced the following priest assignments for the Archdiocese of St. Louis:
Pastors
Rev. Mark S. Ebert, senior associate pastor of Holy Infant Parish in Ballwin, is appointed pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Park Hills and administrator of St. John the Apostle in Bismarck, effective June 16.
Rev. James R. French, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Park Hills and administrator of St. John the Apostle in Bismarck, is appointed pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Gildehaus, effective June 16.
Rev. Msgr. Jeffrey N. Knight, pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Gildehaus, is appointed pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Zell, effective June 16.
Rev. Gerald A. Meier, pastor of Mary Queen of Peace Parish in Webster Groves, is appointed pastor of St. Dominic Savio Parish in Affton, effective June 16.
Rev. Robert J. Reiker, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Dardenne Prairie, is appointed pastor of Mary Queen of Peace Parish in Webster Groves, effective June 16.
Rev. John F. Siefert, pastor of St. Dominic Savio Parish in Affton, is assigned to pursue a Sabbatical, effective June 16.
Rev. Msgr. Ted L. Wojcicki, president/rector of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, is appointed pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Dardenne Prairie, effective June 16.
(Click "continue reading" to see the rest of the assignments).
Today, May 29, 2010, Archbishop Robert J. Carlson ordained eight men to the priesthood at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis on Lindell Blvd. You can read more about the eight men in an earlier article on this website.
Priesthood is a vocation that requires courage and self-sacrifice, but it's also a way of life that is filled with joy and satisfaction.
Vatican City (CNA) — Celebrating the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood at a recent Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, said the mission of the priest is “to bring heaven down to earth, to bring about the communion of all men and women with God.”
Pope Benedict XVI declared a “Year for Priests” beginning with the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 19, 2009. The year will conclude in Rome with an international gathering of priests with the Holy Father on June 19, 2010.
Archbishop Robert J. Carlson has announced the following priest assignments for the Archdiocese of St. Louis:
