What is the Priesthood?
The priesthood is a call from Christ to live a relationship with him by serving his people. Not content to leave his people with simply the memory of his redeeming love, Christ chose certain of his followers (the apostles) to continue his work on earth until the end of time. The priesthood is an extension of this, and hence is a continuation of the work and presence of Christ in the world today.
What does a Priest do?
Priests share in the mission of Christ. Broadly speaking they perform three main tasks:
Teach: Priests instruct others in the faith through their preaching, instruction and example of self-sacrifice.
Shepherd: Priests guide, unite, and encourage their flock, their spiritual children.
Sanctify: Priests administer the sacraments.
Who does Christ call?
Jesus Christ chooses ordinary men to do the extraordinary. Just as he chose his first apostles, calling them each by name to follow him, he does the same today through the call to serve him as a priest.
Christ and his people are the focal point of a priest's life, but each one is unique. A priest has his own talents, hobbies, sports, friends and family, and all of this gets factored into the life of a priest. God takes whatever is good in a man's life and tranforms it to be of service.
" The faithful expect only one thing from priests: that they be specialists in promoting the encounter between man and God."
Pope Bendict XVI, Warsaw.
Am I Called?
A vocatin to the priesthood is countercultural. Frist of all, it is a response to the love of God in one's life. Further, it is a life of self-sacrifice that is aimed at restoring and recovering a love of God in the world.
The signs that indicate a possible vocation to the priesthood include the following:
Love of God - You strive to know and love God more every day.
Love of neighbour - You desire to bring God's love and grace to the world for the salvation of souls.
Attracted to the priesthod - You have an interior attraction to the priesthood. There is a certain sense of joy and peace when you contemplate yourself living as a priest.
A willingness to serve the Lord as his priest - The willingess to be apriest is already an excellent sign that the Lord wants you to be a priest.
A generous heart and a willingness to sacrifice.
Human requirements - You are physically, intellectually, and psychologically capable of living the priestly life.
Contact us
If you have questions about the priesthood or are looking for spiritual direction, please contact:
Rt. Rev. Msgr. Joseph Karikkassery
Auxiliary Bishop, Archdiocese of Verapoly
Latin Archbishop's House
P. O. No. 2581
Kochi -682031
Tel No. 0484 2369542, 2372892
or
Rev. Fr. Antony Valumkal
John Paul Bhavan
Attipetty Nagar
Trikkakara P. O.
Kochi - 682 021
Tel No. 6468847
or
Rev. Fr. Vincent Variath
Vice Rector
Vianny Home,
Kalamassery - 683 104
Tel. No. 0484 2557232
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