Reclaiming Our Priestly Character by David L. Toups

Author:David L. Toups [Toups, David L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780984379217
Publisher: The Institute For Priestly Formation
Published: 2014-08-27T00:00:00+00:00

The Essence of Priesthood

The two notions, one functional and the other sacral, are often seen in competition with one another; in fact, they are at the service of one another. The priest is called to be aware of his sacred role as one who has been sacramentally sealed at ordination; and flowing from his consecration, he is to be a servant-leader and shepherd of the flock of Christ. The truth represented in Presbyterorum Ordinis supplies the balance needed for today's priests. In this decree, explicit reference is made regarding the priest in relation to the Body of Christ as the one who re-presents Christ (in persona Christi capitis). Following this concept, the primary theme of the same document is that of the priest following the example of the Good Shepherd.60 The emphasis is first on who the priest is (ontologically) and then on what he does, namely that the good shepherd "lays down his life for the sheep" (Jn. 10:11).

Regarding the pastoral service owed to the people of God, Pope Benedict XVI reminded seminarians: "Always keep before your eyes the figure of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many' (Mt. 20:28)."61 He clarifies that service to the people of God is the reason behind the character. As Cardinal Ratzinger, he explained:

This means that the ontological conception of the priesthood, reaching into the being of the interested person, is not opposed to the seriousness of the functional activity of the social aspect of the priesthood, but rather creates a radicalness in serving which would be unthinkable in a purely profane activity.62

The representation model Dulles offers reminds the priest that he is always a priest and that he must allow Christ to inform all he does in the sacraments and in the service he offers the Church. He is in persona Christi as a good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. According to recent studies, priests who understand and integrate a proper perception of their ontological identity into life and ministry appear to be more faithful and joyful servants of Christ and His Church. Secular sociologists have shown in their studies:

On every measure, the priests with a cultic ecclesiology reported more happiness, less inclination to leave the priesthood, and a higher percentage saying that if they had to do it over again, they would become priests again.... [In contrast] the servant-leader-type priest had lower morale and more thoughts of resigning. Our best guess is that possibly they felt a less distinctive priestly identity, providing them less self-affirmation and esteem.63

As evidenced in these studies, there is an apparent correlation between men with a strong sense of priestly identity and those who find deep contentedness in their lives.

This finding is crucial for the future of priestly vocations. The witness of priests joyfully living their vocation is essential for reclaiming the gift of the priesthood today and fostering vocations for the future. Pope John Paul II

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