The Priesthood Is More Than Duties or Tasks One May Have

A Year for Priests for the Entire Church

Caliz del Padre Kentenich Father Kentenich’s chalice Primizkelch von Pater Kentenich
La cruz que la madre del Padre Kentenich le regaló con motivo de su ordenación The crucifix that his mother gave Fr. Kentenich as a gift for his ordination Primizkreuz Pater Kentenichs, ein Geschenk seiner Mutter
Rumbo al centenario de la ordenación del Padre Kentenich Towards the centenary of Fr. Kentenich’s ordination Am 8. Juli 2010 sind es 100 Jahre seit der Priesterweihe Pater Kentenichs Fotos: Archiv © 2009

ROME, Fr. Guillermo Mario Cassone. While we priests who live the priestly spirituality of Schoenstatt in its varied forms, and while preparing for the 100^th Jubilee of the priestly ordination of our Founder, Father Joseph Kentenich, we were surprised by the Proclamation of the Pope for a Year for Priests in the entire Church.

The motive for this initiative is to commemorate the 150^th anniversary of the death of St. Jean Marie Vianney, the Curé of Ars.

Since you will be able to read both texts entirely (see link at bottom), I will only limit myself to a personal reflection after having read them. This is worthwhile not only for priests, but for all who follow the charism of Fr. Kentenich according to their own state of life.

First, I want to highlight how it is the same Holy Spirit who inspires the Church through the Pastors (in this case, the Holy Father) and through charismatic initiatives like Schoenstatt. I think this can be clearly applied to the present concomitance on the topic of the ministerial priesthood. It is hoped that this generates a life current and a series of initiatives at the ecclesial level as well as at the level of our charism.

The ideal of priestly sanctity

I think this motivates priests to renew our identity in depth and at the same time is precisely the motivation for this Year for Priests. But, this is not about something ritual, rather it is fundamental, which urges us to live the ideal of priestly sanctity in what is concrete and daily lived through pastoral charity in each task, no matter how insignificant or routine it may seem. Above all, it is to value the centrality of the daily Eucharist, the frequency of the prayerful reading of the Word, and the spiritual life as a true priority with its multiple ways to cultivate it. Also are the specific tasks of pastoral attention in the area where we work. The priesthood is more that the duties or tasks one may have.

Priesthood and ecclesial communion

Thirdly, I think it is a strong call to attention for the entire Church to re-evaluate the ministerial priesthood and its importance for evangelization as something which is indispensable while giving thanks for this gift from Jesus and praying for an increase of vocations and the sanctity of those who are consecrated.

This responsibility is somewhat shared since the priesthood is for the entire Church. It exists for Her and cannot be understood without the ecclesial communion. It is not a topic in part. It is global when thinking of the present and the future of the Church.

Attach ourselves to all priests

For Schoenstatt, as an international and pluralistic Movement, it is a petition to give thanks for the holy priesthood of the Father and Founder and to see to it that it is continued in his spiritual sons who share with him this Sacrament of Priestly Holy Orders.

It is as important to value this aspect of the Founder’s legacy as it is to help in giving it the identity and the place which it corresponds to on the total framework of the Work. As the Founder himself taught and practiced, it has to do with a spiritual paternity which becomes service in the inspiration and education of the different and varied members of this great Family which lives the Covenant of Love in its Shrines. Lastly, I think that this entire year will help us to effectively attach ourselves to all priests, especially to those who accompany us with their pastoral care, beginning in the Parishes where we belong and to the different modes of attention which we receive…..thanking them and valuing their ministries…..accompanying them in their apostolic endeavors and looking after their spiritual and material needs….. and being concerned for their health.

With these brief reflections, I want to make my contribution to live this Year for Priests as a time of blessings for the entire Church.

Translation: Carlos Cantú Schoenstatt Family Federation La Feria, Texas USA 032309

• Pope's address to Clergy Congregation