Guide to Ongoing Formation for Priests (Ascension)

GOFP 131

Guide to Ongoing Formation for Priests

to silence and recollection. Moderating our intake of digital devices and content is one way to express that humility. 107

131 A final way to practice temperance pertains to the craving for material goods. The priest promises to live a simple life, a pledge that he should express in concrete ways. 108 As in the other forms of temperance such as food, drink, and social media, the priest’s simplicity of life is a visible witness to gospel values, especially in the highly consumeristic and materialistic culture of the United States today. We do not deny the goodness of Creation and of material goods in themselves, but a simple lifestyle preaches more with actions than with words. A diocesan priest has a unique opportunity to give this witness. He is challenged to live in the world, shoulder to shoulder with his parishioners, without caving in to the wider culture’s relentless pressure to indulge the appetite for more or better possessions. 132 Simplicity of life cannot remain simply a compelling idea; it expresses itself concretely in the priest’s choice of car, for instance, and of phone, computer, dining habits, vacations, and hobbies. 109 The priest who lives simply gives a personal witness of good stewardship by tithing his income and giving generously to the parish and other personal charities. He makes larger purchases carefully, consulting others when needed, and gets quality things that he takes care of so they will last. He manages his personal finances prudently but without spending an inordinate amount of time on them. He plans carefully for the expenses that often emerge later in life, such as medical bills, so that his diocese is not overly burdened financially. Above all, his simplicity of life is ordered not only to external poverty but, even more importantly, to

107 See CIC, c. 666. 108 See CIC, c. 282 §1. 109 See CIC, c. 285 §§1-2.

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