Pope Pius XI always considered his encyclical on the Catholic priesthood (
Ad catholici sacerdotii, published in 1935) as the most important of all his manifold teachings, and he wished it to be frequently meditated on by seminarians and priests. A brief analysis of this inspiring document may help us to become more conscious of the dignity and of the exigencies of our priesthood.
THE DIGNITY OF THE PRIESTIn all religions the priest is the exalted mediator between man and God. "
Ex hominibus assumptus, pro hominibus constituitur in iis quae sunt ad Deum" (Heb. 5:1).
His sublime function appears fully in Christianity: "the priest is another Christ". He participates in Christ's mediatorship, for "
there is but one mediator of God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 2:5). "I am the light of the world" ; "you are the light of the world" (not only illuminating but life-giving). "
As the Father has sent me, so I send you" (John 20:21). The priest represents and continues Christ: he is the "visible Christ", carrying on the action of the Saviour, and sharing in the power of the Incarnate Word.
With a word he works the stupendous miracle of the transubstantiation and offers up Christ's own Sacrifice, drawing upon its infinite value (latreutic, eucharistic, expiatory and impetratory). - He dispenses the mysteries of God to the faithful; he is Christ for them, from their birth, when he makes them children of God and members of Christ, till their death, which thanks to him will be the beginning of eternal life. He feeds them with Christ's own Body; he exercises the formidable and properly divine power (Mark 2:7) of remitting their sins: "
Ego te absolvo a peccatis tuis". - He is the official dispenser of the divine teaching, chosen to announce the "good tidings", the "unfathomable riches of Christ", and to keep bright the light of conscience which human passions and sophisms tend to obscure: "
Euntes docete omnes gentes". - Finally he is the official intercessor before God for the sins and needs of mankind: not only by offering the Sacrifice, but also by his constant prayer, official (breviary) and private.
The enemies of the Church have understood the supreme importance of the Catholic priesthood: their first effort is to paralyse and persecute, to calumniate and dishonour it.
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PRIESTa) In general: the priest must have (or aim at) a sanctity corresponding to his dignity and vocation. "
To fulfil the duties of holy Orders, common goodness does not suffice, but eminent goodness is required" (St Thomas, Suppl., 35, 1, ad 3). If faithful imitation of Christ is the law of all Christian life, how much more of priestly life, since the priest continues Christ on earth. True, the essential efficacy of the Sacraments does not depend on the worthiness of the minister. Still, without personal sanctity, the priest is unfit for his sublime task of mediator. How can he sincerely offer to God worship, praise, especially the Eucharistic Sacrifice ? How can he cultivate in others the life of grace and sanctity if he does not excel in it himself? How can he be a 'witness of the truth' if his life contradicts the truth? Unless he sincerely strives after sanctity, his words will be cold and unconvincing; his example will pull down what his preaching tries to build up. He will be like the hypocritical Pharisees "
qui dicunt et non faciunt" (
read Our Lord's terrible indictment of the Pharisees: Matt. 23). Hence it would be a disastrous mistake if a priest gave himself up to his ministry so completely as to neglect the care of his personal sanctity.
b) Some particular virtues especially necessary to the priest:
Piety, "solid piety, which is not dependent upon changing mood or feeling, but is based on principles of sound doctrine, ruled by staunch convictions; it should primarily be directed towards God our Father in heaven ".
Chastity, "a most precious treasure of the Catholic priesthood"; it makes him an example in a carnal world, and sets him free for the service of things spiritual and divine.
Detachment from worldly goods; woe to the priest who, forgetful of his vocation, should become "
greedy of filthy lucre" (Tit. 1:7; he would earn the contempt even of his own people.
Zeal for souls: freed from the bonds of family and self-interest, his heart will more readily bum with the apostolic flame; he will long and labour to bring all men unto Christ; exercising, however, his zeal in a spirit of
discipline and obedience.
c) Finally the priest requires learning; for he is set up as a 'master in Israel': he must dispel the prevailing religious ignorance, enlighten the minds, clear away prejudices, solve difficulties, inspire confidence and enthusiasm.
"Therefore it is necessary that the priest, even among the absorbing tasks of his charge, should continue his theological studies with unremitting zeal. The knowledge acquired at the seminary must be deepened and daily increased. Herein is the secret of effective preaching and of influence over the souls of men.
Yet even more is required: the dignity of the office he holds, and the maintenance of a becoming respect and esteem among the people, which helps so much in the pastoral work, demand more than purely ecclesiastical learning; the priest must be graced by no less knowledge and culture than is usual among well-educated people of this day." (Hence study must find a place in the priest's time and budget; regular and methodical.)
(Since the priest is to be 'sal terrae' {salt of the earth] and 'lux mundi' [light of the world], his training is of supreme importance for the Church and for the world. The Holy Father treats of the necessity of excellent seminaries, of the severity required in the admission of candidates, of the means of fostering vocations.)
CONCLUSIONAs the enemies of the Church make every effort to discredit the clergy, so the priests will use every means to live up to their high calling; '
digne ambulate vocatione qua vocati estis.' For this end frequent retreats and monthly recollections are particularly important. God's grace will not be wanting.
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Adapted from Alter Christus, Meditations for Priests by F.X. L'Hoir, S.J. (1958)Meditation 49.
