Real Catholic Blog

In today’s Gospel, our Lord, Jesus Christ, explains to the Apostles his passion, death and resurrection. But the Gospel also tells us that they did not understand. How were they eventually enlightened? The Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit brought the Word to them. Still today, the Holy Spirit brings clarity to our understanding of God’s Word if we open our hearts and seek to receive it. Father Ignatius Manfredonia of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Friary explains in his homily from Mass earlier today.

Jesus explained his death and resurrection in advance to the Apostles, but it was the Holy Spirit who enlightened them to understand. He enlightens us as well when we open ourselves to receive Him.

Pope Benedict told an audience of visiting from Brazil last week that the role of the priest is irreplaceable and that a shortage of priests does not mean the priesthood will secularize anymore than it means the laity will vocationalize. Priests will be priests and laity will be laity, each with distinct and vital roles in the Church.

However, he was clear on the unique nature of the priesthood as an office descended from the Apostles and Christ Himself. From Vatican Information Service via Catholic Online:

. . . the particular identity of priests and laity must be seen in the light of the essential difference between priestly ministry and the “common priesthood.” Hence it is important to avoid the secularisation of clergy and the “clericalisation” of the laity.

He also said:

. . . the lack of priests does not justify a more active and abundant participation of the laity. The truth is that the greater the faithful’s awareness of their own responsibilities within the Church, the clearer becomes the specific identity and inimitable role of the priest as pastor of the entire community, witness to the authenticity of the faith, and dispenser of the mysteries of salvation in the name of Christ the Head.

The function of the clergy is essential and irreplaceable in announcing the Word and celebrating the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist. … For this reason it is vital to ask the Lord to send workers for His harvest; and it is necessary that priests express joy in their faithfulness to their identity.

The Holy Father also invoked Saint John Vianney, the patron saint of priests. As this is the Year for Priests, marking the the 150th anniversary of the saint’s death, Pope Benedict XVI indicated that St. John Vianney . . .

continues even now to be a model for priests, especially in living a life of celibacy as a requirement for the total giving of self, expressed through that pastoral charity which Vatican Council II presents as the unifying centre of a priest’s being and actions.

In this Year for Priests, with the intercession of Saint John Vianney, let us all make a commitment to pray fervently for an increase in vocations as well as for the spiritual, physical and mental well being of all priests.