OFFICE OF SEMINARIANS AND VOCATIONS
The Saint Thomas Seminary, Inc.
The Saint Thomas Seminary, Inc.
Supporting the vocations and the seminarians of the
Archdiocese of Hartford
Archdiocese of Hartford
Hartford Priest BLOG
What a Priest Does Part 3: Pastors of Souls
April 17 2023
When asking what a priest does we can look to the tradition of the church to see that the main “work” of a priest could best be described as a share in the Tria Munera of Christ the Lord: The Sanctify, Teach and Govern. In this post we will look at the ministry of Governance or pastoring, by which a priest leads the people of God to a fuller life in the Kingdom.
The ministry of governance (munus regendi) is proper to Christ the King (Christus Rex). By this office he is King of all of creation and kingdom is lived and spread specifically in the life of the Church. As pastors of parishes and the people in those parishes, each priest shares in the ministry of governance. Pastors need to care for all of those in their parish, even the non-catholics. They need to be there for them in a diversity of circumstances and prudently give advice as only a caring shepherd can. Further, pastors administer the temporal goods of the parish. All the daily work of running a parish and taking care of the material needs (that there is heat, electricity, that the grounds are kept clean) which often cannot be done without a dedicated parish staff, is a share in this same office. If our churches are falling down, or dark, or cold where will we go to hear God’s word or receive the grace of the Sacraments? The administrative work of a pastor is not a distraction from his ministry but rather is specifically an aspect in his sharing in the priestly office of Christ. When we look to our pastors for whatever needs arise, we should look to them as acting even in the most ordinary daily circumstances in the person of Christ.
- Fr. Michael Casey
The ministry of governance (munus regendi) is proper to Christ the King (Christus Rex). By this office he is King of all of creation and kingdom is lived and spread specifically in the life of the Church. As pastors of parishes and the people in those parishes, each priest shares in the ministry of governance. Pastors need to care for all of those in their parish, even the non-catholics. They need to be there for them in a diversity of circumstances and prudently give advice as only a caring shepherd can. Further, pastors administer the temporal goods of the parish. All the daily work of running a parish and taking care of the material needs (that there is heat, electricity, that the grounds are kept clean) which often cannot be done without a dedicated parish staff, is a share in this same office. If our churches are falling down, or dark, or cold where will we go to hear God’s word or receive the grace of the Sacraments? The administrative work of a pastor is not a distraction from his ministry but rather is specifically an aspect in his sharing in the priestly office of Christ. When we look to our pastors for whatever needs arise, we should look to them as acting even in the most ordinary daily circumstances in the person of Christ.
- Fr. Michael Casey
- archive -
Vocations Director
Fr. Michael Casey
Fr. Michael Casey
Message from Fr. Casey
"It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain." (John 15:16). The call of the Lord Jesus to serve him in the Holy Priesthood arises directly from the love of his Sacred Heart. He is still calling many more men today to leave their worldly desires and ambitions behind and set out on the great adventure of the Catholic Priesthood, to dedicate their lives to the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
A call to the priesthood usually begins with some attraction to priestly life and ministry, a call to give oneself to God in a deeper, more radical way. From there through prayer and participation in the Church's sacramental life, one usually is led to greater trust in beginning to take the first steps of answering God's call. If you think God may be calling you, do not be afraid! Spend time in prayer, particularly in Eucharistic Adoration and participation in the Sacraments, in order to come to know Christ better. Also, it would be helpful to reach out and speak to a priest who you may know and trust, just to see what his thoughts are.
The Lord God promised to send shepherds for his Church. Today, the people of God need good and holy priests who will proclaim the Gospel and celebrate the Sacraments for our world. If God is calling you, be courageous in answering, knowing that with St. Paul "we can do all things in him who strengthens us" (cf Phil 4:14).
A call to the priesthood usually begins with some attraction to priestly life and ministry, a call to give oneself to God in a deeper, more radical way. From there through prayer and participation in the Church's sacramental life, one usually is led to greater trust in beginning to take the first steps of answering God's call. If you think God may be calling you, do not be afraid! Spend time in prayer, particularly in Eucharistic Adoration and participation in the Sacraments, in order to come to know Christ better. Also, it would be helpful to reach out and speak to a priest who you may know and trust, just to see what his thoughts are.
The Lord God promised to send shepherds for his Church. Today, the people of God need good and holy priests who will proclaim the Gospel and celebrate the Sacraments for our world. If God is calling you, be courageous in answering, knowing that with St. Paul "we can do all things in him who strengthens us" (cf Phil 4:14).
Associate Directors
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