Program of Priestly Formation (Ascension)

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The Life of Priests

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 j. A life that embraces “the mind and heart of missionaries open to the needs of the Church and the world” 80 k. A life that promotes the array of ecclesial vocations 81 The diocesan priest entrusted with the care of souls in many ways normally serves in parochial ministry. In the parish he will encounter the day-to-day joys and sorrows of the faithful as he accompanies them throughout life, continually leading them to encounter Christ. This art of accompaniment, which develops in the heart of the seminarian and continues to deepen in the heart of the priest, allows him lovingly to accompany the flock entrusted to him; he thus becomes a spiritual father to his people. The life of priests in religious institutes and societies of apostolic life encompasses everything that has been said about the life of priests generally. It also adds to the exercise of the ministerial priesthood the distinctive aspects of a religious institute’s Rule of Life or of the

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75 76 77 78

Lumen Gentium , no. 42. See Presbyterorum Ordinis , no. 16. Ordination of a Bishop , of Priests , and of Deacons , no. 177. See Presbyterorum Ordinis , no. 16; CIC, c. 277 §1; CCEO, c. 374.

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. 80 Pastores Dabo Vobis , no. 32. See St. John Paul II, Redemptoris Missio ( On the Permanent Validity of the Church’s Missionary Mandate ) (Washington, DC: USCCB, 1990), nos. 15-16; CIC, cc. 245, 257; CCEO, c. 352 §3. 81 CIC, cc. 233, 275 §2; CCEO, cc. 329 §1, 2°, 381 §3.

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