The Catholic Priesthood
“Thou Art a Priest Forever”
By J.B. Henri Lacordaire, OP
To live in the midst of the world with
no desire for its pleasure…
To be a member of every family,
yet belonging to none…
To share all sufferings, to penetrate
all secrets, to heal all wounds…
To daily go from men to God,
to offer Him their petitions…
To return from God to men,
to offer them His hope…
To have a heart of fire for charity
and a heart of bronze for chastity…
To bless and be blessed forever.
O God, what a life—and it is yours,
O Priest of Jesus Christ.
A Man of Prayer
The priest is, above all, a man of prayer. As an ordained representative of Christ, his most important prayer is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass—where he re-presents the sacrifice of Jesus to the Father.
His parish relies on him to offer a sacrifice “holy and acceptable to God.” And throughout the week, whether at parish meetings, hospital visits, or community events, he is often asked, “Father, will you lead us in prayer?” He is seen as a man who lives in conversation with God.
Daily, a priest prays the Liturgy of the Hours and sets time aside for private meditation. This personal prayer is essential—for he must truly know the One of whom he speaks, teaches, and preaches. Jesus is the very reason for the priesthood.
A Man Who Preaches Christ
From the earliest days of Christianity, people have come to Jesus through preaching. Today, this remains one of the primary duties of the priest. The vast majority of Catholics receive their understanding and inspiration to live the Faith from what they hear at Mass.
Priests who preach with clarity and conviction are a treasure to the Church. But in a culture steeped in consumerism and entertainment, it is not always easy to proclaim Christ. Pope John Paul II once said:
“The Church faces a particularly difficult task in her efforts to preach the word of God in all cultures in which the faithful are constantly challenged by consumerism and a pleasure-seeking mentality.”
A priest’s role, then, is to show how Christ’s life is deeply relevant to our own. He helps answer the daily question: “How can I live out my faith today?”
A Life of Service
A priest is not a priest for himself. He is ordained to serve the people of God, sharing in the mission of Jesus as:
- Priest – praying and celebrating divine worship
- Prophet – teaching and proclaiming the Gospel
- King – serving the needs of others
At the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the Eucharist and commanded, “Do this in memory of Me.” But before that, He knelt and washed His apostles’ feet. He then said, “What I have done for you, you must do for one another.”
The priest is called to imitate this. He brings the love and strength of Christ into schools, hospitals, prisons, shelters, neighborhoods—and most of all, into places of deep suffering. Wherever God’s people are in need, the priest is there.
A Prayer for Vocations
O God,
You sent Your Son, Jesus, to bring eternal life to those who believe.
I join Him in praying for laborers for Your harvest.
May Your Holy Spirit inspire men and women
to continue His mission—
through the priesthood, diaconate, religious life, and lay ministry.
And may this same Spirit make known
Your will for my life.
Amen.
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