The Sacrament of Holy Orders: Dignity and Excellence (3)

“Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ, and the dispensers of the mysteries of God.” (I Cor. 4:1)

“For Christ therefore we are ambassadors, God as it were exhorting by us…” (II Cor. 5:20) 

The holy Curé d’Ars used to say, “Oh, how great is a priest!” He esteemed that “it is the priest who continues the work of Redemption on earth,” and that consequently, the sanctification of souls and parishes depends on him: “A good pastor, a pastor according to God’s heart, is the greatest treasure that God can grant a parish, and one of the most precious gifts of divine mercy.” 

“When you see a priest, think of Our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Because of this excellence and dignity, it is a grave sin to despise or insult priests. Through them, the contempt and insults touch Jesus Christ Himself, who said to His Apostles: “He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth me; and he that despiseth me, despiseth Him who sent me” (Lk. 10:16).

Preparation and Call from God

By reason of its divine mission and the spiritual powers attached to it, the Catholic priesthood requires a serious preparation and the practice of virtue, as well as a great zeal in following Christ, the priest’s model.

“But in all things let us exhibit ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in tribulation, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in prisons, in seditions, in labors, in watchings, in fastings” (II Cor. 6:4-5). 

For this reason only those who, having been called by God and tried by the ecclesiastic superiors, intend to work for the glory of God and the salvation of souls, are to be admitted to the dignity of the priesthood: “Neither doth any man take the honor to himself, but he that is called by God, as Aaron was” (Heb. 5:4).