For Starters >> What does a Priest do?
“Men should regard us as servants of Christ and administrators of the mysteries of God.” 1 Cor 4:1
The faithful expect only one thing from priests: that they be specialists in promoting the encounter between man and God. The priest is not asked to be an expert in economics, construction or politics. He is expected to be an expert in the spiritual life.
Pope Benedict XVI, Warsaw
Priests share in the mission of Christ. Broadly speaking, they perform three main tasks:
- Teach: Priests instruct others in the faith through their preaching, instruction and example of self-sacrifice
- Shepherd: Priests guide, unite, and encourage their flock, their spiritual children
- Sanctify: Priests administer the sacraments
Some of the daily tasks of a priest:
- Brings new members into Christ’s Body--the Church--through Baptism
- Hears Confessions
- Offers Mass daily and preaches the Gospel
- Prepares the youth of the parish to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation
- Assists in feeding the poor in his neighborhood
- Prepares a couple for marriage
- Listens to someone going through a difficult time and gives counsel
- Visits the sick in the hospital, anointing them for healing
- Buries the dead
