Program of Priestly Formation (Ascension)

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The Ministerial Priesthood

Indeed, the priest, by virtue of the consecration which he receives in the sacrament of orders, is sent forth by the Father through the mediatorship of Jesus Christ, to whom he is configured in a special way as head and shepherd of his people, in order to live and work by the power of the Holy Spirit in service of the Church and for the salvation of the world. . . . Consequently, the nature and mission of the ministerial priesthood cannot be defined except through this multiple and rich interconnection of relationships which arise from the Blessed Trinity and are prolonged in the communion of the Church, as a sign and instrument of Christ, of communion with God and of the unity of all humanity. 32 The Church has “a responsibility to be a living sign of the Father’s love in the world,” 33 a responsibility which the priest assumes as his own upon ordination. In this way priests “are visible signs of the merciful love of the Father in the Church and in the world.” 34 CHRISTOLOGICAL NATURE For the priest to understand his identity, he must understand two central relations: his relationship with Christ, the Son of the Father, and his relationship with the Church. The primary point of reference for priestly identity is Christ himself: “The priest finds the full truth of his identity in being a derivation, a specific participation in and continuation of Christ himself, the one high priest of the new and eternal covenant. The priest is the living and transparent image of Christ the priest.” 35 As priests “are configured to Christ, Head and Shepherd, Servant and Spouse,” 36 they are called to prolong the presence of Christ, the One High Priest, embodying his way of life and making him visible in the midst of the flock entrusted to their care. . . . In the Church and on behalf of the Church, priests are a sacramental representation of Jesus Christ—the

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32 33 34 35 36

Pastores Dabo Vobis , no. 12. Misericordiae Vultus , no. 4. Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 35. Pastores Dabo Vobis , no. 12. Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 35.

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