Vocations to the Priesthood - Part V (Conclusion)

What is a priest?

The role of the priest is described by Christ as the good shepherd, the one who leads and guides the flock. He was also the mediator between God and man, described by Paul (Heb.5:1) as "taken from among men and made their representative before God." Vatican II echoes this same ambivalence about the priests’ role when it writes in the Constitution on the Church : "They are consecrated in order to preach the gospel and shepherd the faithful as well as to celebrate divine worship as true priests of the New Testament."

While the two roles are not exclusive, we tend to emphasize one or other and the functions associated with them: preaching, teaching, administration, presiding at or leading the liturgical celebrations, sanctifying and administering the sacraments. One or other role dominates in the life achievements of most priests, though some can balance both roles remarkably well.

In the traditional role of the pre-1960 priest: he administered the parish, counseled the parishioners, celebrated the mass and sacramental activities of the parish and directed all that went on in the
church community.

After Vatican II the priest's his role changed. He was no longer the autocrat who ran the parish; he ceded his authority to a lay council and delegated many of his functions to others.. He presided at liturgical celebrations of the parish in his role of community organizer or leader. A holy priest drew a community of like minded Christians about him to form the parish family who shared his vision of the church. They shared his faith and focus on the same priorities of spiritual growth and development of their relationship with God. And the essential elements of a vocation changed to correspond with this new role.

A priest must be enthusiastic, on fire with the message of Jesus Christ to instill that enthusiastic faith in his parishioners. Lumen Gentium (III.28) says priests "assemble the family of God as a brotherhood fired with a single ideal." Where that joyful enthusiasm is lacking people do not celebrate but merely go through the motions. The level of job satisfaction increased initially but in recent years it has shown a marked decrease. Since most seminarians are inspired by the example of a priest they know, this is relevant.

The creeping "restorationism" of recent years, the rigid structuring of liturgy, the return to the pre-Vatican II attitudes and the abandonment of the principle of subsidiarity in the life of the Church have all contributed to the loss of spontaneity and joy in the priestly ministry. As a result not only has the personal prayer life of the priest suffered, so too has the joyful celebration of the community.The priest as the center and inspiration of community life and activity leads the community in its response to the redeeming love of its Saviour and Lord.

(If you need further information: contact     mgonzalez@sjvorlando.org
Fr. Gonzalez is director of vocations for the Orlando diocese)