Do we subconsciously apply the world’s mentality to the life of the Church, and view the priest as just an ecclesiastical functionary? That would misunderstand the very essence of the priesthood, as Benedict XVI explained:

“The priest is not a mere office-holder, like those which every society needs in order to carry out certain functions. Instead, he does something which no human being can do of his own power: in Christ’s name he speaks the words which absolve us of our sins, and in this way he changes, starting with God, our entire life.

“Over the offerings of bread and wine, he speaks Christ’s words of thanksgiving, which are words of transubstantiation – words which make Christ Himself present, the Risen One, His Body and Blood – words which thus transform the elements of the world, which open the world to God and unite it to Him.

“The priesthood, then, is not simply ‘office’ but sacrament: God makes use of us poor men in order to be, through us, present to all men and women, and to act on their behalf.

“This audacity of God who entrusts himself to human beings – Who, conscious of our weaknesses, nonetheless considers men capable of acting and being present in His stead – this audacity of God is the true grandeur concealed in the word ‘priesthood.’”

— Homily of June 11, 2010 (Conclusion of the Year for Priests)

Join the team to pray for our priests – learn more and enroll here!