By Leon Bent –
A priest who neglects his own sanctification cannot be called light and salt. The Priest-disciple journey is a “gift that God gives the Church and the world; a path to sanctify oneself and others. On this path of sanctifying himself, the candidate learns to imitate Christ, through self-denying and denial, always seeking to do the will of God. According to Pope Pius X, “It is sanctity alone that makes priests what their divine vocation demands, men crucified to the world, and to whom the world has been crucified.”
According to the Lineamenta of the VIII Synod of Bishops, ‘Mystery-Communion-Mission’, “First, priestly identity is rooted in the order of faith (Lin.7). Second, the priesthood has, both, a supernatural and human dimension (Lin., 8, 10)). Third, the ministerial priesthood has an essential reference to the priestly mission of Christ (Lin.11, 12). The ministerial priesthood is ingrained in the Christological, Ecclesial and Pastoral rootedness of the person.
Vatican II came as a game changer in the understanding of priesthood, priestly ministry and priestly formation. It deals with this subject in four of its documents, namely, Lumen Gentium (LG) on Church, Christus Dominus (CD) on Bishops, Presbyterorum Ordinis (PO) on Ministry and Life of Priests and, Opatatam Totius (OT) on Training of Priests. These documents developed the Christological and ecclesiological aspects of priestly ministry, by associating it with the threefold ministry of Jesus, who is Teacher, Priest and Pastor (cf. LG 21, P.O. n.1).
Thus, Vatican II moved away from the usual way of relating the priesthood only to the Eucharistic rite and cultic practices, to a level of viewing the priesthood and priestly formation, in the light of Christological and ecclesiological dimensions.
Cardinal Beniamino Stella notes, “In the light of changes in historical, socio-cultural and ecclesiastical contexts, a revamped, renewed and restored to the centre,” a well-balanced instrument for the formation of priests is needed (Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis (RFIS), (The Gift of the Priestly Vocation). The three key words that summarize this document are humanity, spirituality and discernment, which need to be present in the journey of discipleship, called to the priesthood, grounded in discipleship and rooted in missionary spirit, which needs to continue through the whole of life. Also, it needs to blossom in four dimensions of formation: human, intellectual, spiritual and pastoral.
The document in its guidelines added thefollowing stages to priestly formation: Philosophical studies, the Stage of discipleship; Theological Stage, Configuration Stage; Theological Studies, Configuration Stage; Experience and Vocational Synthesis, Pastoral Stage. “Discipleship and Configuration to Christ, lasts all through life”! It is a “faith journey”.
Priestly Identity as Missionary Disciple: On the one hand, he is blessed with grace-filled gifts and talents, and, on the other hand, he is bound by limitations and weaknesses. This is why he needs to integrate, mature and discern various aspects of life, with the help of the Holy Spirit and avoid fragmentation, polarisation, excesses and partiality. The “priestly vocation begins with the gift of divine grace”, and is active through the mediation of the Church. It is the “gift of divine grace” and the “mystery dimension” that build the core of priestly identity, to develop a mature priestly spirituality and a stable way of life. These, in turn, help the priest make, “the gift of self to the Church,” which is the essence of pastoral charity (RCIF no.3). In this sense, a priest grows to be a pastor, who is also a teacher of the Word, minister of the sacraments, and, an authoritative leader, who bends and serves the flock in love, rather than ‘lording’ it over them.
Forming a Heart like Christ’s and Discernment: To form a heart like that of Christ and configure to him one must understand two things: His closeness, both, to God and humanity. The second is, the priesthood of Christ lies in offering his own body as the Paschal Lamb, and sealing the New Covenant with his own blood – to gather and reconcile the whole of humanity. This latter attitude of self-offering is the central element of Eucharistic spirituality. The priest, hence, must be rooted in this spirituality. Pope Francis enlightens us: The shepherd must know the scent of his sheep, but, the shepherd must follow the scent of the sheep that, know where the good grass is” (General Audience, February 26, 2014; L’Osservatore Romano 70, March 27, 2014).
For this to happen, Formators must themselves be holistic witnesses of how to love and serve the people of God, giving themselves unreservedly for the Church. The strong experience of community life in the parish helps them be men of communion, in the model of the Trinitarian mystery. All priests unite themselves in the sacred brotherhood, and in the one priesthood of Christ. They are also open to welcome families, youth, children, the old, sick and the poor, and to unite themselves in the sacramental brotherhood, and in the one priesthood of Christ.
One needs to note that the spirit of formation is to strengthen the ongoing experience of discipleship. What begins in baptism is strengthened in the seminary, and continues into priestly life. According to Pastores Dabos Vobis,“ though formators have an invaluable role to play, one must always keep in mind, that the…the priest, is a necessary and irreplaceable agent in his own formation” (FRIS no.53; Pastores Dabo Vobis, no.69).
The vocation to the priesthood is, therefore, a continuous ongoing growth in the Lord, rooted in steadfastness and faithfulness (FRIS, no.56). The “priestly vocation begins with the gift of divine grace” and is active through the mediation of the Church. It is the “gift of divine grace and the ‘mystery dimension’ that builds the core of priestly identity, and develops a mature priestly spirituality and a stable way of life” (RFIS no.34).
And this final flourish! The inner journey of joy within our hearts begins in their hearts, as they bear witness to the risen Lord, and as we allow the Spirit to animate a priest’s being. When we participate meaningfully in the mission of God, to sanctify and transform the world, according to God’s own design and mercy.
Leon contributes articles to myriad Catholic periodicals/journals and web portals, worldwide – occasional the reach is over 5 million online readers.