What is a Priest?

We are now in my second page of my simple and humble notebook. 

In my previous page, I shared with you the meaning of vocation and its difference with career. I attempted to give light in this two confusing words for the young people in order to know the difference. 

Now, let us to move a little to our quest for further knowledge on the matter. I am going to share with you now about PRIESTHOOD. 

            Have you ever heard the word priest? How about the Religious priest or Diocesan priest? Many of us do not know about the slight difference. For us, when we say priest, all are the same. Certainly yes! All priests are the same by virtue of their Ordination. But let us ask ourselves, is there really a difference? 

            WHAT IS A PRIEST?

            A Priest is a man who is called and has received the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Christ’s power is conferred to him, a power to consecrate the wine and bread into blood and body of Christ, a power to forgive sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.    

WHAT IS PRIESTLY LIFE?

 Priestly life lived in configuration to Jesus Christ, Head and Shepherd, must necessarily manifest and gives witness to the radicalism of the Gospel. In other words, priests are called to a way of life that gives evident and transparent witness to the power of the Gospel at work in their lives. (Program for Priestly Formation, The Life of Priests) 

 

What is the difference between a Diocesan and a Religious Priest? 

The Catholic priests have a lot in common. They underwent seminary program designed for priesthood. A priest is ordained to preach and live the Gospel Values and serve the people of God in the person of Christ. He administers the Sacraments and leads people to sanctity.

a.      A Diocesan Priest

-          A priest who is a diocesan is doing ministry within the parameter of the Diocese where he belongs. He serves a Parish, as a “Pastol” of the members. He administers the Sacraments. He instructs the faithful on Christ’s teaching. He serves in obedience to the Bishop who has been placed by Christ as the head of the Diocese. As a subordinate, he promised during his ordination to OBEY THE BISHOP, NOT TO MARRY (Celibacy), and pray the LITURGY OF THE HOURS daily.

b.      A Religious Priest

-          A person who lives a “Religious life” is called Religious. He lives intimately to Christ. He seeks and follows Christ with distinct and clear ways of life by professing the vows of CHASTITY, POVERTY and OBEDIENCE in a particular Order or Congregation. Some are wearing a religious habit as a sign of their consecration to God.

-          A Religious can be a Priest or Brother. To enter into a Religious Community, one shall live his life in accordance to the Constitution and Role of Life in the light of SPIRITUALITY and CHARISM of a Congregation. Therefore, a person who discerns a life that is consecrated life is to understand better the SPIRIT and CHARISM of Religious Congregation or Order. 

-          A RELIGIOUS PRIEST is a consecrated person with a specific Spirituality and Charism. He has also received the Sacrament of Holy Orders. He is not bound under the Bishop’s authority but rather to his designated Superiors. He specifically serves the local Diocese with the Spirit and Charism of his order or congregation. He can be assigned elsewhere by his superior. When he serves in a diocese he does with a permission of the local Bishop. Some religious priests serve in a parish, but most of the religious priests have a specialized apostolate.