Program of Priestly Formation 6th edition

THE LIFE OF PRIESTS | 21

a. A way of life permeated by the threefold charge given priests at ordination to teach, to sanctify, and to govern 68 b. A life of steady prayer centered first and foremost on Sacred Scripture and the prayerful celebration of the sacraments, espe cially Penance and the Eucharist, 69 the Liturgy of the Hours (the Divine Praises, in the Eastern Catholic Churches), and the litur gical cycles, but also on devotional and contemplative prayer 70 c. “Living intimately united” to the person of Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior, Son of God and Son of Mary 71 d. Devotion to Mary, the Mother of God and Mother of priests 72 e. A life of obedience that is apostolic, communal, and pastoral 73 f. A life lived in communion with one’s bishop and the presbyter ate, a communion that includes sacramental, apostolic, and fra ternal bonds 74 g. For priests who are members of a religious institute or a society of apostolic life, a life in community with one’s confreres in accord with the institute’s Rule of Life and charism or with the constitu tion of the society of apostolic life h. A life of celibate chastity that serves both as “a sign and stimulus of love, and as a singular source of spiritual fertility in the world” 75 and, being freely accepted, shows that the priest is “consecrated in a new way to Christ” 76 and offers in himself a reflection of the chaste love of Christ for the Church 77 i. A “simple and austere lifestyle” 78 that cares for and is in solidarity with the poor, works for universal justice for all those who are in need, and, with gratitude for the material blessings of God’s creation, administers the goods of the community with utmost honesty and offers a courageous prophetic witness in the world 79 68 See Presbyterorum Ordinis , nos. 4-6, 13; Pastores Dabo Vobis , no. 26; Optatam Totius , no. 21. 69 See Ecclesia de Eucharistia , no. 31. 70 See Pastores Dabo Vobis , no. 33. 71 See Pastores Dabo Vobis , no. 46. 72 See CIC, c. 246 §3; CCEO, c. 346 §2, 5°. 73 See Pastores Dabo Vobis , no. 28. 74 See Sacrosanctum Concilium , no. 26; Presbyterorum Ordinis , nos. 7-8, 14; Pastores Dabo Vobis , no. 17. 75 Lumen Gentium , no. 42. See Presbyterorum Ordinis , no. 16. 76 Ordination of a Bishop , of Priests , and of Deacons , no. 177. 77 See Presbyterorum Ordinis , no. 16; CIC, c. 277 §1; CCEO, c. 374. 78 Pastores Dabo Vobis , no. 29. 79 See Pastores Dabo Vobis , no. 30; CIC, cc. 282, 287 §1; CCEO, cc. 385 §1, 384 §1. Pope Francis reminds us that “the natural environment is a collective good, the patrimony of all humanity and the responsibility of everyone. If we make something our own, it is only to administer it for the good of all.” Laudato Si’ , no. 95.