Guide to Ongoing Formation for Priests

CHAPTER 1: PRIESTLY LIFE | 13

when that freely chosen, personal sacrifice is later scaled down in favor of personal comforts and a life of ease.

33. A joyful spirit of sacrifice and self-giving therefore lies at the heart of our priestly identity. When a man becomes a natural father, his heart expands to embrace his new child in such a way that the sacrifices he must now make become easy. Such is the normal course of fatherhood, and it is no different for us as spiritual fathers. “Unless you ‘exit’ from yourself,” Pope Francis said in his 2014 Chrism Mass homily, “the oil grows rancid and the anointing cannot be fruitful.” However, if the priest does “exit” from himself, the pope said, “Your people will make you feel and taste who you are, what your name is, what your identity is, and they will make you rejoice in that hundredfold which the Lord has promised to those who serve him.” 22 A father who gladly sacrifices for his children is both a good father and a joyful one. The priest and the natural father understand that their leadership role is only truly expressed in radical service. A priest who does not count the cost, who resists the temptation to chip away at his radical gift of self, who willingly gives away even his personal time when necessary, will be both a good spiritual father and a joyful one—and even tually a holy one. The capacity for spiritual fatherhood is a useful lens through which to gauge other dimensions of our priestly identity. For instance, a father is committed to the growth of his children and wishes to see them thrive, even to surpass him in excellence. A fatherly priest, too, will desire the best for those entrusted to his care and will earnestly promote their spiritual growth—rejoicing when they surpass him even in holiness. A priest living pastoral charity has a zeal for the salvation of souls and generously gives himself to all, particularly those most in need of his care: the poor, the sick, the elderly, the lonely, the abandoned, and the outcast. 23 As a good husband is faithful to his wife, the priest fosters in his heart a deep, spousal love for the Church and fidelity to its teachings. The “priest’s life ought to radiate this spousal character,” as Pope St. John Paul 34. 35. 22 Francis, Homily, 2014 Chrism Mass, April 17, 2014, www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2014/ documents/papa-francesco_20140417_omelia-crisma.pdf . 23 “The Lord will say this clearly: his anointing is meant for the poor, prisoners and the sick, for those who are sorrowing and alone. My dear brothers, the ointment is not intended just to make us fragrant, much less to be kept in a jar, for then it would become rancid . . . and the heart bitter.” Francis, Homily, 2013 Chrism Mass, www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2013/documents/papa-francesco_20130328_ messa-crismale.html .