Pope Leo XIV on the Priesthood: A Perfect Gift from God

An appreciation letter written during the week of October 3, 2023 (Tuesday, October 3rd) by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV; in appreciation for a 400-year history (in five separate letters) of the Trujillo Major Archdiocese. In addition to that, His Holiness has experience as a teacher/professor/facilitator and study director with the Tirol Major Archdiocese.

Preparation for priesthood continues to be an ongoing process; however, when Pope Leo addressed seminarians initially, he stated: "Your primary purpose in preparing for priestly ministry is to meet with God through his presence, allow God guide your life according to His plan, get to know and love God, become part of giving to others. The highest thing you will give God is to have your total dedication and devotion towards Him through belonging to God as a member of the clergy in Holy Orders by serving God's will as a priest." In encouraging future priests to reflect upon themselves and others through the lens of their desire for priesthood, Pope Leo challenged them to look at themselves, not only as individuals but also in relationship to the Church. He encouraged priests-to-be to consider their vocation as a call, as offering support and sharing reflection with one another from a faith perspective; offering respect and honor towards one another; and ultimately expressing their support for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in providing for the physical, emotional, spiritual, etc. needs of their fellow Christian brothers and sisters.

The Meaning of Priestly Vocation

Pope Francis teaches that being a priest isn’t sufficient by itself; ordaining you doesn’t make you who you are or provide what is necessary to deal effectively with challenges encountered in everyday life or as a professional. You can’t run away from your personal issues when you put on your clerical clothing, but you freely give yourself to help someone else in need.

He directed his comments to individuals who might have felt that the ministry type is minor. He commented that "A person who has attained a Heavenly Status via the overwhelming experience of their faith will possess the same level of trustworthiness and dependability as someone who is being ordained to do something of lesser value." He added, "The overall experience of seminary is your way to truly creating yourself through exposure of self and honesty of self, meaning examination of self and truth of self," all which go toward your personal development and independence. Self-awareness of oneself and all others that you have, must be accomplished through self-meditation, self-study and the continuous improvement of your mental abilities will assist you in your self-discovery and purpose.

Prayer and Theological Formation

The seminary student assiduously urged others; however, by loving Jesus in the very relationship they have formed through prayer and proper awareness to hear how God speaks to them. He then used his own quote: "If you have not spent much time talking to God, then it will be difficult to communicate with other people about God."

Pope Francis' emphasis on theological education and study is apparent when he states, "the knowledge necessary for understanding and developing the foundation for a strong faith should not only be developed generally, but must also be developed in an orderly, cognitive way." He added, "Studies are necessary, then, to establish a firm faith and also to effectively spread that faith."

A Call to Community and Accountability

At a recent gathering of seminarians, the Archbishop of Rome cautioned them against becoming average or worldly, because it would impede their ability as presbyters to be in association with their congregations. He also encouraged them to find connections through relationships with one another, as well as finding ways to establish relationships with each other both directly and indirectly through their faith and Christian community as a whole. Finally, he reminded them that being an isolated priest has a heightened risk, stating, "the Church demands that its ministers hold collective accountability for all its people."

In his final correspondence with the seminary students, Pope Leo sent them a message noting how much he appreciated the holy people they are and how valuable they will become to him as the successor of St. Peter, even though you are also a very challenging person in the heart of our great Church; however, you are destined to walk your own path.