Letter to Priests (2012) - Revision history

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	Dear Priests,		Dear Priests,

	On the forthcoming solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (June 15, 2012), as usual, we shall celebrate World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of the Clergy. The expression found in Scripture '''~~â€œThis~~ is the will of God: your holiness!”''' (1 Thess 4:3), though addressed to all Christians, refers to us priests in particular, for we have accepted the invitation to ~~â€œsanctify~~ ourselves” and to become ~~â€œministers~~ of sanctification” for our brothers.		On the forthcoming solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (June 15, 2012), as usual, we shall celebrate World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of the Clergy. The expression found in Scripture '''“This is the will of God: your holiness!”''' (1 Thess 4:3), though addressed to all Christians, refers to us priests in particular, for we have accepted the invitation to “sanctify ourselves” and to become “ministers of sanctification” for our brothers.

	In our case, this "will of God" is, so to speak, doubled and multiplied to infinity, and we must obey it in everything we do.		In our case, this "will of God" is, so to speak, doubled and multiplied to infinity, and we must obey it in everything we do.

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	Dear Priests,		Dear Priests,

	On the forthcoming solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (June 15, 2012), as usual, we shall celebrate World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of the Clergy. The expression found in Scripture '''â€œThis is the will of God: your holiness!~~â€~~''' (1 Thess 4:3), though addressed to all Christians, refers to us priests in particular, for we have accepted the invitation to â€œsanctify ~~ourselvesâ€~~ and to become â€œministers of ~~sanctificationâ€~~ for our brothers.		On the forthcoming solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (June 15, 2012), as usual, we shall celebrate World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of the Clergy. The expression found in Scripture '''â€œThis is the will of God: your holiness!”''' (1 Thess 4:3), though addressed to all Christians, refers to us priests in particular, for we have accepted the invitation to â€œsanctify ourselves” and to become â€œministers of sanctification” for our brothers.

	In our case, this "will of God" is, so to speak, doubled and multiplied to infinity, and we must obey it in everything we do.		In our case, this "will of God" is, so to speak, doubled and multiplied to infinity, and we must obey it in everything we do.

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	This is our wonderful destiny: we cannot be sanctified without working on the holiness of our brothers, and we cannot work on the holiness of our brothers unless we have first worked on and continue to work on our own holiness.		This is our wonderful destiny: we cannot be sanctified without working on the holiness of our brothers, and we cannot work on the holiness of our brothers unless we have first worked on and continue to work on our own holiness.

	Ushering the Church into the new millennium, the Blessed John Paul II reminded us that this "ideal of perfection", which must be offered to everyone, is normal indeed: "To ask catechumens: ~~â€˜Do~~ you wish to receive Baptism?â€™ means at the same time to ask them: ~~â€˜Do~~ you wish to become holy?â€™"<ref>1 Apostolic Letter ''Novo millennio ineunte'', n. 31.</ref>		Ushering the Church into the new millennium, the Blessed John Paul II reminded us that this "ideal of perfection", which must be offered to everyone, is normal indeed: "To ask catechumens: ‘Do you wish to receive Baptism?â€™ means at the same time to ask them: ‘Do you wish to become holy?â€™"<ref>1 Apostolic Letter ''Novo millennio ineunte'', n. 31.</ref>

	On the day of our priestly ordination the same baptismal question surely resounded in our heart, calling for a personal answer; but it was also entrusted to us so that we might address it to the faithful, cherishing its beauty and preciousness. '''This does not mean that we are not aware of our personal shortcomings, or of the faults committed by some who have brought shame upon the priesthood before the world.'''		On the day of our priestly ordination the same baptismal question surely resounded in our heart, calling for a personal answer; but it was also entrusted to us so that we might address it to the faithful, cherishing its beauty and preciousness. '''This does not mean that we are not aware of our personal shortcomings, or of the faults committed by some who have brought shame upon the priesthood before the world.'''
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	"The people of every generation," "all the peoples of the earth," "new evangelization": before such a universal horizon, we priests must ask ourselves how and where such statements can come together and stand.		"The people of every generation," "all the peoples of the earth," "new evangelization": before such a universal horizon, we priests must ask ourselves how and where such statements can come together and stand.

	So we can begin by recalling that the ''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' itself begins with a universal outlook, recognizing "Manâ€™s ~~â€˜capacityâ€™~~ for God";<ref>Section One. Chapter I.</ref> but it does so choosing--as its first quotation--the following text of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council:		So we can begin by recalling that the ''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' itself begins with a universal outlook, recognizing "Manâ€™s ‘capacityâ€™ for God";<ref>Section One. Chapter I.</ref> but it does so choosing--as its first quotation--the following text of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council:

	: "The root reason (''"eximia ratio"'') for human dignity lies in '''man's call to communion with God'''. From the very circumstance of his origin man is already invited to converse with God. For man would not exist were he not created by God's love (''"ex amore"''), and constantly preserved by it (''"ex amore"''); and he cannot live fully according to truth unless he freely acknowledges that love and devotes himself to His Creator. Still, many of our contemporaries have never recognized this intimate and vital link with God, or have explicitly rejected it" (''"hanc intimam ac vitalem coniunctionem cum Deo"'').<ref>''Gaudium et Spes,'' § 19 and ''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' § 27.</ref>		: "The root reason (''"eximia ratio"'') for human dignity lies in '''man's call to communion with God'''. From the very circumstance of his origin man is already invited to converse with God. For man would not exist were he not created by God's love (''"ex amore"''), and constantly preserved by it (''"ex amore"''); and he cannot live fully according to truth unless he freely acknowledges that love and devotes himself to His Creator. Still, many of our contemporaries have never recognized this intimate and vital link with God, or have explicitly rejected it" (''"hanc intimam ac vitalem coniunctionem cum Deo"'').<ref>''Gaudium et Spes,'' § 19 and ''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' § 27.</ref>

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			[[File:GreatHighPriest-400.jpg\|right]]
	== Main body of the letter ==		== Main body of the letter ==

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Examination of Conscience for Priests

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Examination of Conscience for Priests

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	:* Do I have recourse to her maternal intercession in my struggles with the devil, concupiscence, and the world?		:* Do I have recourse to her maternal intercession in my struggles with the devil, concupiscence, and the world?

	20."Father, into your hands I commend my spirit" (Lk 23:44).		20. "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit" (Lk 23:44).

	:* Am I solicitous in assisting and in administering the sacraments to the dying?		:* Am I solicitous in assisting and in administering the sacraments to the dying?

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Examination of Conscience for Priests

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Examination of Conscience for Priests

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	On the day of our priestly ordination the same baptismal question surely resounded in our heart, calling for a personal answer; but it was also entrusted to us so that we might address it to the faithful, cherishing its beauty and preciousness. '''This does not mean that we are not aware of our personal shortcomings, or of the faults committed by some who have brought shame upon the priesthood before the world.'''		On the day of our priestly ordination the same baptismal question surely resounded in our heart, calling for a personal answer; but it was also entrusted to us so that we might address it to the faithful, cherishing its beauty and preciousness. '''This does not mean that we are not aware of our personal shortcomings, or of the faults committed by some who have brought shame upon the priesthood before the world.'''

	Ten years later--considering that the situation has grown ever more serious--we must let the words pronounced by John Paul II on Holy Thursday of 2002 resound in our heart with greater strength and urgency:		Ten years later — considering that the situation has grown ever more serious — we must let the words pronounced by John Paul II on Holy Thursday of 2002 resound in our heart with greater strength and urgency:

	: "At this time too, as priests we are personally and profoundly afflicted by the sins of some of our brothers who have betrayed the grace of Ordination in succumbing even to the most grievous forms of the ''mysterium iniquitatis'' at work in the world. Grave scandal is caused, with the result that a dark shadow of suspicion is cast over all the other fine priests who perform their ministry with honesty and integrity and often with heroic self-sacrifice. As the Church shows her concern for the victims and strives to respond in truth and justice to each of these painful situations, all of us--conscious of human weakness, but trusting in the healing power of divine grace--are called to embrace the ''"mysterium Crucis"'' and to commit ourselves more fully to the search for holiness. We must beg God in his Providence to prompt '''a whole-hearted reawakening of those ideals of total self-giving to Christ''' which are the very foundation of the priestly ministry."<ref>"Letter to Priests" on Holy Thursday 2002.</ref>		: "At this time too, as priests we are personally and profoundly afflicted by the sins of some of our brothers who have betrayed the grace of Ordination in succumbing even to the most grievous forms of the ''mysterium iniquitatis'' at work in the world. Grave scandal is caused, with the result that a dark shadow of suspicion is cast over all the other fine priests who perform their ministry with honesty and integrity and often with heroic self-sacrifice. As the Church shows her concern for the victims and strives to respond in truth and justice to each of these painful situations, all of us — conscious of human weakness, but trusting in the healing power of divine grace — are called to embrace the ''"mysterium Crucis"'' and to commit ourselves more fully to the search for holiness. We must beg God in his Providence to prompt '''a whole-hearted reawakening of those ideals of total self-giving to Christ''' which are the very foundation of the priestly ministry."<ref>"Letter to Priests" on Holy Thursday 2002.</ref>

	As ministers of God’s mercy, we know that the search for holiness can always begin again through repentance and forgiveness. But we also feel the need to ask for it, as individual priests, on behalf of all priests and for all priests.<ref>Congregation for the Clergy, "The priest, minister of Divine Mercy: An aid for confessors and spiritual directors," 9 March 2011, 14-18; 74-76; 110-116 (the priest as penitent and spiritual disciple).</ref>		As ministers of God’s mercy, we know that the search for holiness can always begin again through repentance and forgiveness. But we also feel the need to ask for it, as individual priests, on behalf of all priests and for all priests.<ref>Congregation for the Clergy, "The priest, minister of Divine Mercy: An aid for confessors and spiritual directors," 9 March 2011, 14-18; 74-76; 110-116 (the priest as penitent and spiritual disciple).</ref>
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	:* on the preparation of the next Synod of Bishops in order that it may truly be "a good opportunity to usher the whole Church into a time of particular reflection and '''rediscovery of the faith'''."<ref>Ibid., § 5.</ref>		:* on the preparation of the next Synod of Bishops in order that it may truly be "a good opportunity to usher the whole Church into a time of particular reflection and '''rediscovery of the faith'''."<ref>Ibid., § 5.</ref>

	For the time being--as an introduction to this work--we can meditate briefly on this indication provided by the Pope, towards which everything converges:		For the time being — as an introduction to this work — we can meditate briefly on this indication provided by the Pope, towards which everything converges:

	: "It is the love of Christ that fills our hearts and impels us to evangelize. Today as in the past, he sends us through the highways of the world to proclaim his Gospel to all the peoples of the earth (cf. Mt 28:19). Through his love, Jesus Christ attracts to himself the people of every generation: in every age he convokes the Church, entrusting her with the proclamation of the Gospel by a mandate that is ever new. Today too, there is a need for stronger ecclesial commitment to new evangelization in order '''to rediscover the joy of believing and the enthusiasm for communicating the faith'''."<ref>Ibid., § 7.</ref>		: "It is the love of Christ that fills our hearts and impels us to evangelize. Today as in the past, he sends us through the highways of the world to proclaim his Gospel to all the peoples of the earth (cf. Mt 28:19). Through his love, Jesus Christ attracts to himself the people of every generation: in every age he convokes the Church, entrusting her with the proclamation of the Gospel by a mandate that is ever new. Today too, there is a need for stronger ecclesial commitment to new evangelization in order '''to rediscover the joy of believing and the enthusiasm for communicating the faith'''."<ref>Ibid., § 7.</ref>
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	"The people of every generation," "all the peoples of the earth," "new evangelization": before such a universal horizon, we priests must ask ourselves how and where such statements can come together and stand.		"The people of every generation," "all the peoples of the earth," "new evangelization": before such a universal horizon, we priests must ask ourselves how and where such statements can come together and stand.

	So we can begin by recalling that the ''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' itself begins with a universal outlook, recognizing "Man’s ‘capacity’ for God";<ref>Section One. Chapter I.</ref> but it does so choosing--as its first quotation--the following text of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council:		So we can begin by recalling that the ''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' itself begins with a universal outlook, recognizing "Man’s ‘capacity’ for God";<ref>Section One. Chapter I.</ref> but it does so choosing — as its first quotation — the following text of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council:

	: "The root reason (''"eximia ratio"'') for human dignity lies in '''man's call to communion with God'''. From the very circumstance of his origin man is already invited to converse with God. For man would not exist were he not created by God's love (''"ex amore"''), and constantly preserved by it (''"ex amore"''); and he cannot live fully according to truth unless he freely acknowledges that love and devotes himself to His Creator. Still, many of our contemporaries have never recognized this intimate and vital link with God, or have explicitly rejected it" (''"hanc intimam ac vitalem coniunctionem cum Deo"'').<ref>''Gaudium et Spes,'' § 19 and ''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' § 27.</ref>		: "The root reason (''"eximia ratio"'') for human dignity lies in '''man's call to communion with God'''. From the very circumstance of his origin man is already invited to converse with God. For man would not exist were he not created by God's love (''"ex amore"''), and constantly preserved by it (''"ex amore"''); and he cannot live fully according to truth unless he freely acknowledges that love and devotes himself to His Creator. Still, many of our contemporaries have never recognized this intimate and vital link with God, or have explicitly rejected it" (''"hanc intimam ac vitalem coniunctionem cum Deo"'').<ref>''Gaudium et Spes,'' § 19 and ''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' § 27.</ref>

	How could we forget that, with the text quoted above--and in the richness of the wording chosen--the Conciliar Fathers intended to speak directly to atheists, upholding the immense dignity of the vocation from which they had departed? And they did so with the same words used to describe the Christian experience, at the peak of its mystic intensity!		How could we forget that, with the text quoted above — and in the richness of the wording chosen — the Conciliar Fathers intended to speak directly to atheists, upholding the immense dignity of the vocation from which they had departed? And they did so with the same words used to describe the Christian experience, at the peak of its mystic intensity!

	The Apostolic Letter ''Porta Fidei'' also begins stating that it "ushers us into the life of communion with God," which means that it allows us to become directly immersed in the central mystery of the faith we are called to profess: "To profess faith in the Trinity--Father, Son and Holy Spirit--is to believe in one God who is Love."<ref>Ibid. § 1.</ref>		The Apostolic Letter ''Porta Fidei'' also begins stating that it "ushers us into the life of communion with God," which means that it allows us to become directly immersed in the central mystery of the faith we are called to profess: "To profess faith in the Trinity — Father, Son and Holy Spirit — is to believe in one God who is Love."<ref>Ibid. § 1.</ref>

	All this must resound in a special way in our heart and in our mind, making us aware of what is the greatest tragedy of our times.		All this must resound in a special way in our heart and in our mind, making us aware of what is the greatest tragedy of our times.
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	Today it is especially priests, in their daily worship and ministry, who must refer everything to the Trinitarian Communion: only by starting from it and by immersing [themselves] in it can the faithful really discover the face of the Son of God and [...] His contemporariness, and really reach the heart of every man and the homeland they are all called to. Only this way can we priests restore contemporary man’s dignity, the sense of human relationships and social life, and the purpose of the whole of creation. "Believing in only One God who is love": no new evangelization will really be possible unless we Christians are able to surprise and move the world again by proclaiming the Nature of Our God who is Love, in the Three Divine Persons that express it and that involve us in their own life.		Today it is especially priests, in their daily worship and ministry, who must refer everything to the Trinitarian Communion: only by starting from it and by immersing [themselves] in it can the faithful really discover the face of the Son of God and [...] His contemporariness, and really reach the heart of every man and the homeland they are all called to. Only this way can we priests restore contemporary man’s dignity, the sense of human relationships and social life, and the purpose of the whole of creation. "Believing in only One God who is love": no new evangelization will really be possible unless we Christians are able to surprise and move the world again by proclaiming the Nature of Our God who is Love, in the Three Divine Persons that express it and that involve us in their own life.

	Today’s world, with its ever more painful and preoccupying lacerations, needs God--the Trinity--and the Church has the task to proclaim Him.		Today’s world, with its ever more painful and preoccupying lacerations, needs God — the Trinity — and the Church has the task to proclaim Him.

	In order to fulfill this task, the Church must remain indissolubly embraced with Christ and never part from Him; it needs Saints who dwell "in the heart of Jesus" and are happy witnesses of God’s Trinitarian Love.		In order to fulfill this task, the Church must remain indissolubly embraced with Christ and never part from Him; it needs Saints who dwell "in the heart of Jesus" and are happy witnesses of God’s Trinitarian Love.
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	:* Do I possess superfluous things?		:* Do I possess superfluous things?
	:* Do I make unnecessary expenditure or am I taken over by consumerism?		:* Do I make unnecessary expenditure or am I taken over by consumerism?
	:* Do I use my free time so as to be close to God remembering that I am always a priest--even at these times of rest or vacation?		:* Do I use my free time so as to be close to God remembering that I am always a priest — even at these times of rest or vacation?

	10. '''"You have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to mere children" (Mt 11:25).'''		10. '''"You have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to mere children" (Mt 11:25).'''
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	12. '''"You are Peter" (Mt 16:18).'''		12. '''"You are Peter" (Mt 16:18).'''

	:* ''Nihil sine Episcopo''--nothing without the Bishop--was a saying of St Ignatius of Antioch. A re these words at the root of my ministry?		:* ''Nihil sine Episcopo'' — nothing without the Bishop — was a saying of St Ignatius of Antioch. A re these words at the root of my ministry?
	:* Do I receive orders, counsels or correction from my Ordinary with docility?		:* Do I receive orders, counsels or correction from my Ordinary with docility?
	:* Do I pray often for the Holy Father?		:* Do I pray often for the Holy Father?

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	2. "This is my body" (Mt 26:26).		2. "This is my body" (Mt 26:26).

	: Is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass the ~~centre~~ of my ~~spir itual~~ life?		: Is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass the center of my spiritual life?
	: Do I prepare well to celebrate Mass?		: Do I prepare well to celebrate Mass?
	: Do I devoutly celebrate the Mass?		: Do I devoutly celebrate the Mass?
	: Do I make an act of thanksgiving after Mass?		: Do I make an act of thanksgiving after Mass?
	: Is the Mass the ~~centre~~ of my day		: Is the Mass the center of my day in giving thanks and praise to God for his blessings?
	in giving thanks and praise to God for his blessings?
	: Do I have recourse to his goodness?		: Do I have recourse to his goodness?
	: Do I make reparation for my sins and for those of all mankind?		: Do I make reparation for my sins and for those of all mankind?
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	: Have I been charitable in dealing with my brother priests?		: Have I been charitable in dealing with my brother priests?
	: Does my egoism leave me indifferent to them?		: Does my egoism leave me indifferent to them?
	: Have I ~~criticised~~ my brother priests?		: Have I criticized my brother priests?
	: Have I supported those who are morally or physically ill?		: Have I supported those who are morally or physically ill?
	: Am I committed to fraternal action so that no one is ever left alone?		: Am I committed to fraternal action so that no one is ever left alone?

Letter to Priests (2012) - Revision history

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