Dedicated to all newly-ordained Priests in Ghana and beyond.
Beloved Venerable brothers in the ministry!, St Paul says, “what do you have that you did not receive?”
(ICor 4:7) Christ in His love for humanity and His Church never ceases to call more labourers into His vineyard. And that is the grace that is evident in the gift of the Priesthood that has brought you and I thus far to be zealous and faithful ministers in His vineyard.
Christ has freely chosen you and I, though not worthy but by virtue of His grace, would perfect our imperfections, diminish our numerous defects and equip us for Priestly ministry to primarily preach God’s Word and celebrate the Sacraments, exercising the three fold Office of the Priest: teaching, sanctifying and governing or leading as a servant leader after being formed for many years, with particular attention to Intellectual formation, Spiritual formation, Human Formation and Pastorals Formation as the four main Pillars of Priestly formation as left to us by St Pope John Paul in his document, Pastores Dabo Vobis.
Permit me to share some few thoughts with you, not because I am more experienced or advanced in age but because at least I have lived and exercised this Sacred ministry for at least a little more half a decade by way of fraternal accompaniment and Priestly charity to one and all, our new Priests.
1.PRAYER LIFE AND MINISTRY
The atmosphere changes suddenly having being ordained and given your pastoral assignment, unlike the Seminary a Formator would ensure that you pray your Breviary faithfully, the rosary, your Quiet Time or Meditation, Lectio Divina, Benediction,attend Mass etc…Now, you are on your own because you are fully matured now.
Be deliberately conscious and consistent with your Prayer life by having a Personal Prayer Schedule drawn for yourself and never miss it, giving excuses, for that is the fuel that makes your pastoral engine function well and be able to discern well and form the conscience of the Society and be the voice of the voiceless as Prophet of God.
Most often after Seminary, it becomes extremely difficult to do Spiritual Reading and Personal study and attend Spiritual Direction. It is so because most of us Priests think that, after Priestly Ordination, we are now Masters of Spirituality. No! The Priesthood is not an end in itself but a means to holiness as Bishop Africa Agyekum of Koforidua Diocese puts it.
It means that, even after Priestly, we still need a Spiritual Director and a Confessor whiles we serve same for the People of God and our brother Priests and the Religious.
These spiritual tools would equip and sharpen you to take your ministry serious without lazying about, taking Catechism in the Parish extremely serious, dedicating adequate time to prepare and preach your homilies and study the usage of the liturgical books very well so to know the rubrics, where to find Prefaces, blessings in the book of blessings so to celebrate the Sacraments very very well.
Never prepare a homily without looking at the Opening Prayer and Concluding Prayer (as found in the Preface) because most often it captures all you need to know about the celebration of the day and could be good for your homily for important occasions.
As you teach God’s Word, make visit to the sick in their homes and hospitals a priority with the permission of your Pastor. And never take any initiative without discussing and seeking the approval of your Pastor!. Sometimes, having pastoral zeal alone is not enough; you also need pastoral direction.
2. PRIESTLY FRATERNITY
As you and I, true and authentic Christian fraternity was of the essential features that distinguished the early Christians, where according to Acts of the Apostles, they lived communal life, shared prayer and material things in common.
As Priests, as we exercise their ministry together,we encourage, show solidarity and offer fraternal correction to ourselves so to keep going.Anytime you break from your brothers and have no time to dine with them, pray with them, recreate and share ideas with them, know that you are slipping and that’s the main cause of most of our numerous problems as Priests.
Prioritize Priestly fraternity because the best friend of a Priest is a Priest and nobody understands Priestly matters better than your brother Priest.
It’s unfortunate sometimes it becomes a bit difficult trusting a colleague Priest, but no matter what, you can find one you are comfortable with and can trust to run to in every moment of your ministry.He could be your confidant.
As a new Priest, never miss your monthly recollection, annual retreat, co-workers meetings for such gatherings are antidotes of loneliness and idleness. There, one gets the opportunity to know and make new friends, share his experiences and receive motivation from the veteran Priests who have crossed the junction you find yourself now.
3.THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
As a young Priest, I was with my Pastor in his car when he started lashing a colleague Priest for streaming live the Mass because he wants to be popular and seen everywhere!. I didn’t comment because he who has made his made, nothing can change and he who is ready to change, nothing can stop him.
Interestingly, as Pope Leo makes it clear, as a Church, we cannot evangelise whiles closing our eyes to media as one of the modern and effective tools to bear witness of the Gospel.
However, it can be addictive.It is like water and fire. It is a good servant but a bad master. It can be very helpful but at the same perilous, that can expose a Priest to his doom as one Nigerian Bishop puts it, “As a Priest, the more exposed you are, the more vulnerable you become”.
Use social media but tread cautiously and wisely.
You don’t need to use the social media to be a star by all means, for being an Ambassador of Christ far outweighs being an earthly star. Let it be enough for you.
4.CHERISH YOUR VOWS/PROMIS AND KEEP IT
Generally, the Evangelical Counsel is a way of life for all christians but as Priests, we freely make vows(Religious) or promise(Diocesan) to live radically and in a stable way Obedience to our legitimate and competent Superiors/Ordinary; live a simple life devoid of too many material things(Poverty) and consecrate ourselves to live a chaste celibate life as our spiritual bond with the Church in order to devote our whole life to the Service of God’s People and the Church as a foretaste of the heavenly life here on earth.(Chastity)
Beloved Venerable brothers, always know that, the leader is always right and the voice of your Superior is the voice of Christ, so you try to listen and do just that. As an exuberant and young and intelligent Priest, you may be tempted to criticize and challenge almost every decision in the Parish. Please don’t! Be humble and docile for disobedience can crash your Priesthood whiles “obedience profits the submitter,” as Bishop James Saah puts it.
It’s sad these days, some laity and newly-ordained Priests have the impression that, the Priesthood is synonymous to Fashion, Designer Wear and amassing of worth. Where from our Pastoral Charity to the poor, sick and needy in the Parish, when we want to ride the latest cars and wear expensive dresses, chains and wrist watches and expect these poor Parishners to take care of us when we are showing with pride that we have more than they? It is likea tenant who lives better than the landlord or landlady. He is easily moved out a day he does not expect. Be simple, modest, but presentable.
Don’t expect so much so not to be frustrated when your expectations backfire! And don’t be too ambitious, one step at a time.
“Ask and expect nothing and you would lose nothing and be frustrated of nothing,” says Fr Lenin Alvarado of Ecuador.
Avoid chasing money and whatever is beautiful and flashy and you would be spared of unnecessary worries, troubles and headaches. Sometimes is good to stay out of trouble, knowing very well that, not all doors must be entered and not all opportunities must be grabbed, for some could be deceitful and deadly even though it glitters like gold.
5.NEVER MISS YOUR ANNUAL VACATION/LEAVE
I personally think is not by mistake the Church law and Diocesan particular laws stipulate that every year, every ordained Priest has a month for vacation if the Pastor allows. Most often, after Ordination, the pastoral zeal is so strong that, if one does not slow down may burn out and even develop complicated health issues that may send the Priest to his grave.
So, it is very important to go on vacation to relax, rest, be with family and friends, do medical checks and come back refreshed with renewed enthusiasm and zeal to carry on the task.The vacation could be home or abroad once the legitimate Superior allows it.
6.CARRY YOUR FAMILY ALONG
It is rather unfortunate that, as some married couple forget the family they came from, same happens to some Priests knowingly or unknowingly. But as a Priest, as Pope Francis made it clear, the family is the pillar and foundation of vocations. Even though we could build families from the faithful, do not forget your biological family. For friends come and go, families have nowhere to go! In critical times, you wouldn’t see friends but family. Let’s try and spend quality time with them, support them in the best way we can and also minister to them as Priest as we minister to the People of God.
7. WATCH OUT YOUR HUMAN RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR PASTOR AND THE LAY FAITHFUL
There is a popular saying that “man is not an Island,” and neither is one ordained for himself. We are ordained as ministers for God’s People and we are Priests because of them. So, the need to know your sheep very well and develop a big and tolerant heart that relates very well with all without creating division and having favourites.
Sometimes, the People of God and your own Pastor may not be too open to you and regard you much and cooperate with you well, just love them and pray for them, considering their cultural and pastoral orientation.
Find time to visit them, pray with them and encourage them to build family altars for morning devotion and enthrone Christ in their homes.
Normally, the People of God remember their Priests not because of the powerful and brilliant homilies you gave but for the visit you paid to them in their homes and sometimes workplaces.
CONCLUSION
Beloved Venerable brothers!, As I bring my simple exposition to a close, permit me to end with a quote from St Ignatius of Loyola as I encourage you all to make it your own. “Take Lord and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding and my entire will. All that I have and possess, you have given all to me. To you, Oh Lord, I return it, all is yours; dispose of it according to your will. Give me your love and your grace for this is sufficient for me”.
Congratulations to you all, Frs and be assured of our constant prayers for the success of your ministry. Be impactful, give hope to God’s People, be good collaborators to your Local Ordinary and immediate Pastors as you listen to them and walk closely with the Holy Spirit, seeking daily and constantly the maternal intercession of Mary, Mother of Priests and the Church.
Ayekooooo!
Thanks so much for your time.
Rev. Fr Albert Kyei Danso
Chaplain
Holy Family Ghanaian Catholic Community Church, Italy.
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