Life Of A Priest

Rev. Fr. Paul Lelen Haokip *

INTRODUCTION:

When you hear of a priest called "Father", you may feel reluctant to call him as he is not married and has no issue. So why call him a "Father"? You see him in a white robe called the "cassock" and feel funny even before knowing the significance. You see him busy in the school because he is convinced that education is the most powerful art (weapon) he could ever give to children to be stable, able, reasonable and humane. Let us see just few important aspects of catholic priesthood.

PRIESTHOOD AND ROMAN COLLAR:

Now-a-days, it is quite weird to see non-priests wearing a roman-collar. You don't become a police by just wearing a police uniform, do you? You may barely become an actor or a joker or a phony, but never a true police. So it is.

For this reason, the cleric (member of the clergy) should wear "suitable clerical clothing according to the norms issued by the Episcopal Conference and according to legitimate local customs" (Canon 284). This be in conformity with the dignity and sacredness of the ministry. "Apart from entirely exceptional circumstances, the non-use of clerical clothing on the part of the cleric can manifest a weak sense of his own identity as a pastor completely dedicated to the service of the Church (# 66)."

1. The Roman collar is also a reminder to the priest that he is "never not a priest." He is a modern disciple of Christ and priest at all times, places and occasions.

2. The Roman collar is a sign of priestly consecration to the Lord. As a wedding ring distinguishes husband and wife and symbolizes the union they enjoy, so the Roman collar identifies bishops and priests (deacons and seminarians) and manifests their proximity to the Divine Master by virtue of their free consent to the ordained ministry to which they have been called.

3. By wearing clerical clothing and not possessing excess clothes, the priest demonstrates adherence to the Lord's example of material poverty. The priest does not choose his clothes – the Church has, thanks to her accumulated wisdom over the past two millennia. Humble acceptance of the Church's desire that the priest wear the Roman collar illustrates a healthy submission to authority and conformity to the will of Christ as expressed through his

4. The wearing of the Roman collar is the repeated, ardent desire of Pope John Paul 11. The Holy Father's wish in this regard cannot be summarily dismissed; he speaks with a special charism. He frequently reminds priests of the value of wearing the Roman collar.

5. The Roman collar is a protection for one's vocation when dealing with young, attractive women. A priest out of his collar (and, naturally, not wearing a wedding ring) can appear to be an attractive target for the affections of an unmarried woman looking for a husband, or for a married woman tempted to infidelity.

6. The Roman collar offers a kind of "safeguard" for oneself. The Roman collar provides a reminder to the priest himself of his mission and identity: to witness to Jesus Christ, the Great High Priest, as one of his brother-priests.

7. A priest in a Roman collar is an inspiration to others who think: "Here is a modern disciple of Jesus." The Roman collar speaks of the possibility of making a sincere, lasting commitment to God. Believers of diverse ages, nationalities and temperaments will note the virtuous, other-centered life of the man who gladly and proudly wears the garb of a Catholic priest, and perhaps will realize that they too can consecrate themselves anew, or for the first time, to the loving Good Shepherd.

8. The Roman collar is a source of beneficial intrigue to non-Catholics. Most non-Catholics do not have experience with ministers who wear clerical garb. Therefore, Catholic priests by virtue of their dress can cause them to reflect – even if only a cursory fashion – on the Church and what she entails.

TIME MANAGEMENT AND PRIESTHOOD:

When you see a busy priest, you are reminded of "an idle mind is the devil's workshop' adage. The priest serves at the altar in the early start of the day and concludes his day with the beads of the Rosary pondering on the mystery of the life of Christ. He retires with preparation for the following day's Holy Eucharist. In between all these, he is to find time for the Parishioners, School Teachers & Students and for his personal work.

CELIBATE PRIESTHOOD:

Christian tradition places a high valuation on chastity as a special gift of God. The life of a priest involves being conformed to Christ. Celibacy for Roman Catholic priests was not mandated under canon law for the universal church until the Second Lateran Council in 1139. More than a sacrifice, celibacy is a 'gift'. Luke 18:28-30

"And Peter said, See, we have left our own [things—home, family, and business] and have followed You. And He said to them, I say to you truly, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God who will not receive in return many times more in this world and, in the coming age, eternal life".

CONCLUSION:

Presenting Jesus is the work - alpha & omega. Passing on what we have received is the mandate. That's the story to be told and shared. This is evangelism. It is proclaiming the Good News. It need not be a preaching tour or a big door-to-door campaign but rather something simple, evangelism that is small and personal. Every good work, education, guidance, time-spent are a glimpse of God no people. This is good news we can proclaim to the world. That how the life of a priest goes on.