Review article

Priesthood Spirituality – an Integral Part of the Identity of Priesthood

Mijo Nikić orcid.org/0000-0002-3620-3016 ; Institute of Philosophy and Theology of Society of Jesus

Abstract

The author begins his article by quoting Pope Benedict XVI: »God is the only treasure people want to find in a priest.« Before being anything else, a priest is a man of God, a »second Christ« on Earth. A priest has to be strong in spirit in order for people to recognise God in him. The author sees spirituality as an integral part of the complete identity of a person who functions on physical, mental, social and spiritual levels. The spiritual dimension is considered to be the crowning identity of each individual person. It is this dimension that enables a person to establish a relationship with the Absolute and to hear God’s voice through their conscience. Priesthood spirituality – as an openness towards the Absolute – is the most important, integral part of the identity of a priest. The identity of a priest consists of, firstly, to be a man; then to have a true calling to priesthood; to be consecrated and sent to the people by God through the Church that offers the sacrament of Holy Orders. The priest’s identity is marked by Christ to such an extent that we can say that in his apostolate, he acts »in persona Christi«. The Holy Spirit, who is active in priesthood spirituality, »builds« the image of Christ within a priest.
In the second chapter the author quotes numerous Church documents, as well as the teachings of certain theologians, who argue that priesthood spirituality receives its life from sacramental grace. Every time a priest gives the sacrament of Baptism he has a chance to renew his own baptismal promises. A priest is also the first to use the sacrament of Reconciliation, before his penitents do. The Eucharist is the source and the highlight of the Church and spiritual life. The greatest sign of a priest’s dignity and his spirituality is the celebration of the Eucharist through which Jesus Christ is present in this world. The sacrament of Holy Orders entitles a priest to act with God’s power and to continue Christ’s work of salvation. The author notes that a priest’s spirituality feeds itself on God’s word and prayer. Obedience to God and Church makes a priest’s spirituality stronger. A true priest who is God’s priest does not talk or act according to his own wisdom but in the name of God. Priesthood spirituality gives a priest strength and incentive to be faithful to his vow of celibacy. The author concludes by quoting the words of Pope Benedict XVI. With them the Pope encourages priests to be aware of the nobility of their priesthood identity as well as the power of their priesthood spirituality: »Believe in the power of your priesthood! Through the power of the sacrament, you have received all that you are...«
In conclusion, the author provides two examples of holy priests who are true »specialists« in spirituality: Saint John Vianney, the patron of priests, and Blessed Aloysius Stepinac, Archbishop of Zagreb.

Keywords

spirituality; priest; identity of a priest; integration; grace; sacraments; Pastoral; spiritual life

Hrčak ID:

59703

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/59703

Publication date:

19.10.2010.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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