Part I, Chapter III: Duties of the Priestly State

Duties of the Priestly State

FROM ALL that has been written in the foregoing chapters, it is obvious that the priest is favored with far more graces than any other human being except the Blessed Virgin Mary. It follows, then, that no one on earth is held to a greater perfection and sanctity of life than the priest, especially if he is charged with the care of souls.

Thus, it is most important and necessary for you to consider often and seriously before God the dignity and excellence of your vocation, the obligation and duties which it involves and the manner in which you discharge them.

Consequently, it is profitable for you to have a summary of these duties, to read and reread, that thus you may engrave your responsibilities on your heart, and give expression to them in your life and conduct.

The compendium that I have drawn up with this intention in mind, formulates the principal sacerdotal duties under thirty-four headings, in honor and commemoration of the thirty-four years(1) of the life on earth of Jesus Christ, the great High Priest, who is the model of all priests. If you seek to follow a rule filled with love, sweetness and perfection you must do as follows: (1). The exact duration of Christ's public life is uncertain. St. John Eudes follows the opinion of St. Jerome that the ministry of Jesus lasted three years and a half. Assuming as do many authoritative writers that Our Lord began His public life at the age of thirty, St John Eudes concludes that the entire life of the Savior extended over a period of thirty three years and six months. Our Lord therefore died in His thirty - fourth year. This accounts for the fact that St. John Eudes asks us to honor the thirty-four years of our Lord'slife on earth-For the chronology and duration of Christ's life, see Filion, Vie de N.S. Jesus Christ ( P aris , 1925), vol. II, p. 11 and The Catholic Encyclopedia, vol. VIII, «Jesus,» P. 379.

1 Establish in your heart a firm resolution to live inwardly and outwardly in such a way that your life may be above reproach, following the words of St. Paul to Timothy which apply to priests as well as bishops, "It behoveth therefore a bishop to be blameless" (1 Tim. 3, 2). Make of your life a living gospel, a continual sermon, a perfect rule of life and morals for those whom you govern.

2 Make a lofty and generous profession to conduct your life always according to the maxims of faith and of the gospel, being assiduous in reading and studying them. Christ brought His divine maxims down from heaven and taught them to His apostles for this very purpose. Why else did He inspire the writings of Sacred Scripture except that they be followed? Who will follow them if not the priests who should learn these truths and preach them to the people? How shall they learn and preach these truths if they do not take the trouble to read the exhortations of Our Lord Jesus Christ, where they are to be found, especially i n chapters five, six and seven of St. Matthew?

3 Be not concerned with the world. Rather renounce its maxims, its spirit and everything associated with it. True Christians are not of this world, even as the Master Himself is not, according to His own words: "Because they are not of the world, as I also am not of the world" (John 17, 14). If the Holy Ghost forbids the faithful to be concerned with the things Of this world, even commanding them to hate them, how much more so do His words apply to priests? "Love not the world, nor the things which are in the world. I f any man love the world, the charity of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2, 15).

4 Engrave on your heart the words of St. Paul and follow them faithfully: "Be not conformed to this world" (ROM. 12, 2). Renounce as much as lies in your power everything worldly in dress or habits. I t surely demeans the priesthood when you who are supposed to be the

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salt of the earth, that is, the wise men of the world, follow the fashions of the day and the inane spirit of the times, manifested in thoughtlessness and perpetual changes. Stultus ut luna mutatur (Ecclus. 27, !2).

5 Avoid all familiarity with the laity, especially worldlings and women, except in charity and necessity. Even then, your aim should be to avoid being alone with them. At all times, whether your conversation be with women or other people of the world ' speak the language of the Heavenly Father, conversing chiefly of the things of God and eternal salvation: if any man speak, let him speak, as the words of God" (I Pet. 4, 11). "For we are the good odour of Christ unto God; providing good things, not only in the sight of God but also in the sight of all men, that he, who is on the contrary part may be afraid, having no evil to say of us" (2 Cor. 2, 15; Rom. 12, 17; Tit. 2, 8).

6 Always dress in your clerical attire which is the ornament and glory of the priest. Be mindful that you should avoid anything which suggests foppishness or vanity. Likewise, you should be careful to be neat and tidy so that your appearance suggests order and cleanliness. Your h-caring at all times should denote humility, simplicity and modesty. 7 Deny to avarice any part in your life, and shut the door of your heart firmly against any inroad. Engrave upon it these words of the Holy Ghost, "Let your manners be without covetousness, contented with such things as you have. For He hath said, I will not leave thee: neither will I forsake thee" (Heb. 13, 5 ) . "For they that will become rich fall into temptation and into the snare of the devil and into many unprofitable and hurtful desires, which drown men into destruction :and perdition. For the desire of money is the root of all evils: which some coveting have erred from the faith and have entangled themselves i n many sorrows. But thou, 0 man of God, fly these things: and pursue justice, godliness, faith, charity, patience, mildness" (i Tim.6, 9-11).

You should always remember that, when you embraced the clerical state, you made your profession in these words, Dominus pars haereditatis meae, meaning that you would seek no other portion, no other heritage than Jesus Christ Himself. Consequently, He is the only treasure to fill your heart, and you should seek no other treasures on earth. The Fathers of the Church tell us that the priest who enriches himself o r his relatives at the expense of the Church will be condemned by God as guilty of theft and sacrilege. As St. Bernard puts it: Furtum est, rapina, sacrilegium.( 2).

8 Hold in horror the spirit of the Pharisees, that is, the spirit of ambition and vanity which loves the point of honor, which preaches but does not practise, which seeks only the praise and tribute of man, and which is concerned only with appearances and the plaudits of humans. That spirit dares to ignore the frightful anathemas hurled by the Saviour Himself against the haughty Pharisees: "Woe to you when men shall bless you: for according to these things did their fathers to the false prophets" (Luke 6, 26). To avoid such a tendency, consider well and practise the words of Sacred Scripture: "The greater thou art, the more humble thyself in all things: and thou shalt find grace before God" (Ecclus. 3, 20). And Christ Himself counsels us thus, "Go sit down in the lowest place" (Luke 14, io). "Learn of me, because I am meek and humble of heart" (Matt. 11, 29).

9 Fear the sentence pronounced against the unworthy servant: "And the unprofitable servant cast ye out into the exterior darkness" (Matt. 25, 30). Have a wholesome dread lest this verdict be hurled against you. To safeguard particularly against this, avoid idleness, the mother of all vices. Regulate and occupy your time with prayer and study, and in the exercise of devotion, charity or other useful works. Remember that no group of men on earth is more obliged to make profitable use of time than priests for they are charged with the most important duties on earth-the glory of God and the salvation of souls. Epist. ad Falconem.

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10 Learn to hate intemperance in eating and drinking. Avoid every occasion in which sinful excesses may be committed. This vice is low and bestial and most definitely contrary to the sanctity and dignity of the priest, who should be an angel among men.

11 Abhor impurity. Avoid with the most scrupulous exactitude the places, persons or things which might constitute the slightest peril or suggest even the smallest shadow of that abominable vice. What could be more necessary and becoming to the life of the priest consecrated to God. the priest whose life is spent i n the church near the altar, whose time is spent performing angelic functions amidst divine mysteries, what is more necessary and becoming than purity of mind and body? What can be more terrible than an impure priest? He is a monster, a Judas, an antichrist.

12 Consider the words of St. Paul: if any man have not care of his own, and especially of those of his house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel" (1 Tim. 5, 8). Lest, therefore, you be condemned by God as apostates, learn to rule and govern your household that it may be a shining example of virtue, modesty, charity and piety for all Christian families to behold and imitate.

13 Keep a constant eye on the needs of your flock, anticipating their every want. Be mindful that the slightest negligence on your part renders you culpable in the eyes of God for He will demand a rigorous account of all the souls committed to your care. I will require his blood at thy hand," says Sacred Scripture in Ezechiel (3, 18). Likewise, the Master will brand you as the murderers of those who perish because of your sloth, as witness the terrible words of St. Gregory: " Tot occidimus quot ad mortem ire tepidi et tacentes videmus." (3). Homil. 17.

14 Eradicate those evils for which you can find a remedy. Seek to destroy as far as is possible, scandal, disorders and sin by prayer, example and preaching. Thus, you shall fulfil the words of St. Paul: "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine" (2 Tim. 4, 2). Banish blasphemies, swearing, injury and injustice, the oppression of the poor, the pomps of Satan. Crush the implements of the devil, immoral dancing, obscene plays, lascivious books and shows, immodest dress and lewd fashions. Abolish blasphemy, lying, fraud and every such type of sin. Above all else, Preach and wage incessant war against drunkenness, the source of so much evil.

15 Be the protector and defender, the consoler, the father and the refuge of the poor, widows and orphans. Be the strength of those who are helpless and oppressed. Be assiduous in catechizing and preaching the gospel. Visit prisoners and the afflicted, encouraging them to turn their trials to their spiritual advancement.

16 Cultivate a very special charity for the sick and visit them frequently. Administer the sacraments and try to be with them at the hour of death. Be exact in your devotion to the poor as well as to the rich, to the humble as well as to the great.

17 Strive your utmost to instruct those under your care in their Christian obligations. In this respect be faithful in preaching and exhorting, not only in the pulpit and in public, but even in private, in the home, on the street, everywhere, in imitation of the first Christian priests. "And every day they ceased not in the temple, and from house to house, to teach and preach Christ Jesus" (Acts 5, 42). Let it be said of you as of St. Paul, I am clear from the blood of all men. For I have not spared to declare unto you all the counsel of God. . . . For three

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years I ceased not, with tears to admonish every one of you night and day" (Acts 20, 26-31).

18 Watch over the school, being especially careful in the selection of teachers. Frequently visit the class rooms to teach catechism, and to hear the children say their morning and night prayers. Encourage them also in the practice of the utmost respect for the House of God.

19 Try to adjust differences which may arise between various members of your flock and strive to establish the reign of peacefulness and Christian charity among those committed to your charge by God.

20 Cultivate an ardent love for the Church which God has given to you as a spouse to Whom you must surrender your whole heart. Carefully protect her interests; seek unflaggingly to advance her mission; labor unceasingly for her growth and sanctification; be unfailing in your zeal for the salvation of souls, burning into your very heart the words of St. Dionysius, Omnium divinorum divinissimum est cooperari Deo in salutem animarum .(4)

21 Let your chief glory and happiness consist in seeking to carry out holily and reverently the noble duties of the priestly life, especially the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the recitation of the Divine Office, the administration of the sacraments, preaching and instructing. Above all else, endeavor to form the saintly habit of doing everything not simply by routine, not in a slovenly, careless manner, but with devotion and exactitude worthy of God, as St. Paul counsels, digne Deo (Col. 1, 10), that is, worthy of His eternal majesty and infinite sanctity. To attain this goal, observe the dispositions and practices which will be suggested later on this point. (4). De Coelesti Hierarchia, cap. 3.

22 Be most devoted to hearing confessions, regarding this function as one of the chief duties of the priest and as a most necessary most powerful and most effective means of cooperating with God in the salvation of souls.

23 Take great care not to violate the command of our Divine Master, namely: "Give not that which i s holy to dogs; neither cast ye your pearls before swine" (Matt. 7, 6). Let no unworthy person, no public sinner approach the holy table; withhold absolution from those unworthy of it, particularly those who persist in living in the proximate occasion of sin or constitute themselves such occasions for others; those, too, who live at enmity with their fellow men, refusing all attempts at reconciliation; those who remain constantly in the state of mortal sin without purpose or desire of amendment.

Be solicitous for the sanctity of the Sacrament of Matrimony, being particularly careful that none shall enter that holy state unless they are free from all canonical impediments and are thoroughly familiar with the obligations of marriage as well as its rights.

Regarding the Sacrament of Baptism, likewise be on guard against permitting unworthy godparents to assume the duties of sponsors, for these spiritual fathers and mothers cannot discharge the duties of their high office unless they are properly instructed and fitted for the task.

24 Be diligent in your care of the church, the cemetery and all places set aside for the service of God. Let all appointments reflect the sanctity that must characterize a consecrated environment. Everything should be neat and clean and in good order, especially the objects inside the Sanctuary. There the Great King should be served and honored with a dignity and excellence befitting His exalted position; there above all else the sacraments should be administered with the most exacting care; there the Divine Office should be recited with gravity and devotion, and every ceremony carried out with grace and dignity. The

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House of God should be a place where the worshipper conducts himself with modesty, respect and appreciation~ of the Real Presence.

Be insistent in your zeal for the observance of Sunday and Holy Days. Discourage their profanation by unseemly conduct or unbecoming amusements. Above all else, fulminate against such sinful practices as drunkenness and debauchery.

25 Cherish an ardent devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and her holy spouse, St. Joseph, and endeavor to implant it also in the lives of those under your charge. Likewise impress upon your congregation the necessity of honoring the patron saints of the diocese and of the parish. Have a special devotion to all holy Pontiffs, Priests and Levites. Let it be felt that the observance of their feast days is actually the celebration of the feasts of our own brothers and fathers: Filii sanctorum sumus (Tob. 2, 18). 26 Have a most profound devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, for it is the unspeakable treasure of the priest, who should have in his own heart a burning zeal towards so holy a possession. It should be his one and constant desire to honor the Blessed Sacrament and to make it honored by others and to see,that the abiding place of the Lord is clean, honorable and edifying. The priest should be unfailing in his efforts to teach the faithful to act reverently in the presence of Christ in the Tabernacle; he should spare no pains to encourage them to assist frequently and devoutly at Holy Mass.

27 Never spare yourself when it is a question of establishing the reign of the Master in the Holy Family of Christ, that is, in the intimate circle of priests and clerics consecrated to His service. Let the most important duty of your life be to implant virtue, piety and sanctity in the minds and souls of the chosen ones of God.

28 Read carefully the thirty-fourth Chapter of the Prophet Ezechiel, the tenth Chapter of St. John's Gospel, the sixth Chapter of the Second Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians and his Epistles to Timothy and Titus. In these texts you shall hear the voice of God speaking to priests, outlining their duties, which are summarized in the following words which you should engrave upon your hearts: In all things show thyself an example of good words, in doctrine, in integrity, in gravity. The sound word that cannot be blamed: that he who is on the contrary part may be afraid, having no evil to say of us" (Titus, 2, 7-8). "Be thou an example of the faithful in word, in conversation, in charity, in faith, in chastity ... Attend unto reading: to exhortation and to doctrine. Neglect not the grace that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with imposition of the hands of the priesthood. Meditate upon these things: be wholly in these things: that thy profiting may be manifest to all. Take heed to thyself and to doctrine: be earnest in them. For in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee" (1 Tim. 4, 12-16).

29 Weigh deeply and ponder the following words:

1. "This is the will of God, your sanctification" (1 Thess. 4, 3). "But according to him that bath called you, who is holy, be you also in all manner of conversation holy: because it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy" (1 Pet. 1, 15-16).

2. "Did you not know, that I must be about my Father's business?" (Luke 2, 49).

3. "For all seek the things that are their own: not the things that are Jesus Christ's" (Phil. 2, 21).

4. "He is . . . the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth: and the sheep hear his voice. And he calleth his own sheep by name and leadeth them out" (John 10, 2-3).

5. "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking care of it, not by constraint, but willingly , according to God: not for filthy lucre's sake but voluntarily" (1 Pet. 5, 2).

6. "I lay down my life for my sheep" (John 10, 15).

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30 Realizing your incompetence, cultivate a true love of prayer, having recourse to it at all hours and on every occasion. Never attempt anything till you have first prayed, being mindful that only thus may you hope to draw down upon yourself divine light and grace. You should constantly implore the aid of Our Lord, the Sovereign Priest, of His Blessed Mother, and of the angels and the saints. 31 Keep constantly before your eyes the life of the Great High Priest and Supreme Shepherd of souls, the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is the mother of all Christians, but particularly of the priests and doctors of Holy Church. Study their actions and their virtues, and the excellence of all holy persons, making them the model of your life, the rule you should follow, according to which you shall be judged hereafter.

32 Be assiduous in spiritual reading, setting aside at least a quarter of an hour daily for this purpose. Let your reading be done attentively and let it be unhurried.

33 Take the time at least once a.month to read these rules, or at least a portion of them, with great attention, in the presence of God. Examine yourself to see how you have transgressed. Ask God's pardon for your faults. Make a firm resolution to be more faithful in the future. As a means of finding strength, invoke the Divine mercy and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the angels and the saints, particularly your heavenly patron.

34 Finally, make an eight-day or a ten-day retreat every year in imitation of Our Saviour, who spent forty days in the desert before beginning His public life, and even during His journeys through Galilee often retired into the mountains alone to pray. Imitate also the Apostles

and disciples who spent ten days in prayer shut away from the world, preparing themselves for the coming of the Holy Ghost, Who was to animate their entire being for the great work of the salvation of souls.

Let your retreat be made in a seminary or in some secluded place where your soul may be alone i n its communings with its Maker. Let every moment of that precious period be given to exercises of devotion and virtue, so that the words of the Holy Spirit may be fulfilled, as spoken by St. Paul in his Epistle to Timothy: "Take heed to thyself and to doctrine" (1 Tim. 4, 16). Take heed especially "to thyself," that i s , apply yourself wholly to the considerations of the obligations of your state in life. Consider your lapses, humbling yourself before God, penitently resolving to amend your life, to fortify yourself against temptations, invoking for this purpose the light and help of heaven. 27-