杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

The true nature of priestly ministry, 杏MAP导航 Leo writes in a , is revealed in 鈥渢he Heart of Christ, pierced for love鈥� the living and life-giving flesh that embraces each of us and conforms us to the image of the Good Shepherd.鈥�

In his Message 鈥� occasioned by the Day of Sanctification of Priests, observed each year on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus 鈥� 杏MAP导航 Leo notes that the day鈥檚 feast 鈥渞enews in our own hearts the call to be completely committed to the service of God鈥檚 holy people,鈥� a ministry that 鈥渂egins with prayer and is carried out in union with the Lord.鈥�

鈥楤e builders of unity and peace!鈥�

Entering into the Sacred Heart, the 杏MAP导航 says, allows priests to 鈥渆xperience and renew that gift which the Lord entrusted to us and charged us to pass on in His Name,鈥� by bringing to God鈥檚 people 鈥渢he Word and the sacraments鈥� in order to bring about a world reconciled in love.鈥�

For this reason, he continues, 鈥淚 would make this heartfelt appeal to all of you today: Be builders of unity and peace!鈥�

杏MAP导航 Leo explains that to do so, priests must be 鈥減astors capable of wise discernment,鈥� with the 鈥渁bility to understand and interpret complex situations,鈥� and provide 鈥減astoral solutions that generate and regenerate faith by building good relationships, bonds of solidarity, and communities in which the style of communion shines forth.鈥�

He went on to emphasise that 鈥渂eing builders of peace and unity means serving and not domineering,鈥� and highlights the need for priestly fraternity, which can become of a credible sign of God鈥檚 presence.

Ministry rooted in prayer and proximity

The Holy Father closes his Message with an appeal to priests to renew the 鈥測es鈥� they gave at their ordination, to allow themselves to be shaped by the Holy Spirit, and to not be 鈥渄aunted鈥� by personal frailty. 鈥淭he Lord does not look for perfect priests,鈥� he says, 鈥渂ut for humble hearts that are open to conversion and prepared to love others as He loved us.鈥�

And finally, after recalling his predecessor鈥檚 invitation to priests to renew their devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, he encourages them to root their ministry 鈥渋n prayer and forgiveness, and in closeness to the poor, to families, and to young people who are searching for the truth,鈥� reminding them that 鈥渁 holy priest makes holiness flourish around him.鈥�