What is a priest?

 By Father Conrad Pecevich | Retired priest, Diocese of Worcester

“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, Son of John, do you love me more than these?’” (Jn. 21: 15). Jesus asks these same questions of all his priests. Often during their priestly lives, the Lord whispers the same words into the hearts of his priests. As we respond like Peter, the Lord challenges us to feed his lambs and tend his sheep. In other words, he expects us to shepherd them tenderly and lovingly just as he himself did.  

Each priest must have pondered the Lord’s words seriously when he was discerning his call to priesthood. On the day of ordination, like Our Lady, he made his “fiat” to God, “Let it be done to me!” After Peter’s example, he depends on us to feed and guide his flock both spiritually and materially. We are to show to all a genuine love after the very heart of Christ. Not to fulfill this charge is to be negligent in our vocational call.  

Recently, the Church celebrated “Priesthood Sunday” (Sept. 26). This particular Sunday is dedicated to acknowledging and affirming the faithful service of our priests to the Church. Priesthood Sunday is described by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as: “A special day to honor priesthood in the United States. It is a day set aside to reflect upon and affirm the role of the priest in the life of the Church as a central one.” 

It has been said of the priest that he is to be an “icon of Christ,” a living image of the Lord Jesus. St. Ambrose said of the priest that Christ “made them vicars of love.” St. John Vianney, the patron of diocesan clergy, wrote: “The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus. When you see a priest, think of Our Lord Jesus Christ.” On another occasion, he wrote: “The priest is not a priest for himself; he does not give himself absolution. He does not minister the sacraments to himself. He is not for himself; he is for YOU!”  

Hans Von Balthasar, the Swiss theologian and Catholic priest, wrote this: “A good priest is always a miracle of grace.” The blessings of the priesthood are infinitely greater than the one who is asked to administer it. The challenge to the priest will always be, “Be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy” (Lev. 19: 20). Holiness implies separateness and difference, to be out-standing in the culture.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “In his ministerial role, the priest is the person of the Head. The essential services that he provides are to keep the Church alive.” One’s priesthood is comparable to a marriage between the priest and Christ. It demands the fidelity and devotion demanded by the sacrament of marriage.  

The priest has been referred to as an “alter Christi.” Especially at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the priest acts as “another Christ,” representing the person of Jesus himself. Similar to the one he represents and follows, the priest needs to exercise a “preferential option for the poor” as Jesus did. The poor, the outcast and the marginalized should be the object of his personal charity. The priest must ever proclaim the Good News, both “in season and out.”   

Two saints in particular can serve as models and patrons for priests, St. Francis of Assisi and St. Therese of Lisieux, the “Little Flower.” Each brings a special message to all priests today. In particular, their spiritual intimacy with Christ and faithfulness to the Gospel are worthy of imitation. Both saints demonstrated a “missionary heart.” Their passion was the proclamation of the Gospel everywhere possible. 

There is a story from the life of St. Francis where he was asked, “If you were to be approached by an angel and a priest, whom would you first greet?” Francis immediately replied, “I would hurry to the priest, kneel down before him, and kiss his hands, for he gives me Jesus.” Throughout his life, Francis demonstrated a profound respect and love of priests, according to his biographer, Thomas of Celano. His radical Gospel spirituality, his love for the poor and passion for God are fitting guides for priestly living. Francis admonished h fellow friars who were priests, “Look at your dignity, O brother priests, and be holy since he is holy. As the Lord has honored you above all other persons because of this ministry, so should you love, reverence and honor him above all others.” Francis himself was a deacon but never a priest. 

St. Therese of Lisieux also possessed that same reverence for and devotion to priests. When she sought entrance to Carmel, her reasons for seeking entrance into the Carmelite Order were “to save souls and to pray for priests.”  

She referred to herself as “the apostle to the apostles.” Therese felt in her heart a personal call to priesthood; however, since that was impossible, she dedicated herself to pray and sacrifice for them. She interceded to God on their behalf. Her “little way,” her simplicity and absolute trust in God can assist priests in their personal spirituality. St. Therese had a special love for the missions. Our priests can emulate her missionary heart! Both saints had a joy in living the Gospel! 

“The Lord has sworn. You are a priest forever” (Ps. 110: 4). Priesthood is a permanent character imposed on the soul of a priest. It is an awesome dignity that is ours. Priesthood is a mystery, and throughout our priestly journey we grow in an  
understanding of that unique divine call we have received. The priest is a “man at the crossroads.” He stands in the midst of the world beckoning all to the Kingdom of God. Between the world and heaven, he points to God. 

I conclude with a quote from a letter of St. Teresa of Kolkata  to priests: “Just keep the joy of Jesus as your strength – be happy and at peace, and accept whatever he gives you, and give whatever he takes (away) with a smile. You belong to him – tell him – I am yours!” 

(Adapted from a sermon given by Father Pecevich for the 40th Anniversary of priesthood of the Rev. Edward J. Przygochi, MSA, 10-2-2021.) 

 The Diocese of Worcester hosts Celebrate Priesthood! on Oct. 28 to raise money to support retired priests of the Diocese.