Address to Priests and Seminarians (11 September 1984)

On Tuesday, 11 September 1984, the Holy Father addressed French-speaking priests and seminarians in the Basilicca of the Oratory of Saint Joseph. The Pope asked them not to be discouraged in the face of “a new culture, a new society, but which also involves questions about the meaning of life, and a crisis of values: values ​​of faith, prayer, religious practice, moral values, at the family level, or even a more materialistic, more selfish way of living.” 

Dear Brothers in the Priesthood ,

1. It is a great joy for me to meet you here, priests of Quebec and French-speaking priests from several other regions of Canada. The conversation with my brothers in the priesthood always constitutes a capital moment of my travels. I do it in union with your bishops, of whom you are the first collaborators: they have transmitted to you the powers of Christ and they are, each in their diocese, the fathers of the presbyterate. Each year, for Holy Thursday, I myself address a letter to all the priests of the Catholic Church, to strengthen them in their sublime vocation and their indispensable mission to the people of God.

A demanding mission indeed, but which is first and foremost a gift , for which we should continually give thanks to God. Despite our unworthiness, Christ has called us to communicate his Good News, to communicate his Life! And despite the difficulties of this charge, I invite you from the outset to carry it out in hope . What Saint Paul said to the Christians of Rome is even more valid for you, who are associated with the apostolic ministry: “May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace in your faith , so that hope may abound in you by the power of the Holy Spirit” ( Rom . 15:13).

You heard right: “In your act of faith”! It all depends on the faith that animates your lives as priests.

2. Your bishops, and particularly those of Quebec, when they came on an “ad Limina” visit - not to mention all the reports or letters I received before this trip - have familiarized me with the social and religious situation that has been yours for about twenty years, and which continues to evolve. You are relatively numerous in exercising the priestly ministry, despite the recent decrease in the number of ordinations, and, like your predecessors who have so strongly marked ecclesial life in Canada, you work faithfully with your bishops. At present, you are seeking, according to the guidelines of the Second Vatican Council, the means to face the “crisis” of your Christianity.

Because you are observing a profound change that opens the way to a new culture, a new society, but which also involves questions about the meaning of life, and a crisis of values: values ​​of faith, prayer, religious practice, moral values, at the family level, or even a more materialistic, more selfish way of living. The Church is no longer alone in inspiring responses or behaviors; sometimes it feels on the margins, some go so far as to say “in exile.”

Faced with this new situation, most Canadian pastors seem not to be discouraged. They want to see it as a test, that is to say an opportunity for stripping away, purification, and new reconstruction, in humility and hope.

3. The successor of Peter also says to you: it is up to you to take up this challenge, not to let yourselves be paralyzed, to rediscover your freedom and the dynamism of faith.

In no way should realism and spiritual humility translate into resignation. You cannot resign yourselves to Christianity being relegated, even for a time, outside the convictions or morals of your compatriots. Certainly the novelty of the cultural situation presents, in a sense, positive aspects, if we mean by that that faith can express itself today more freely, that it depends less on social pressure and more on the personal convictions of each person, that it overcomes formalism or hypocrisy more easily, that it takes better account of new scientific questions, the possibilities of technical progress or social communication, that it encourages more active, more responsible participation in more flexible communities, that it knows better how to enter into dialogue with others while respecting their conscience, or the competence of those responsible for civil society.

But when it comes to the essential - the meaning of the living God, the acceptance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, salvation through faith, the primordial gestures of religious practice which express and nourish this faith, such as the sacraments of the Eucharist and of reconciliation, the meaning of human love in marriage, the theology of the body, respect for life, sharing with the disinherited, and in general the beatitudes - the Christian, and even less the priest, cannot accept to remain silent, to resign himself to erasure, under the pretext that the place is given over to the pluralism of currents of ideas, several of which are imbued with scientism, materialism, even atheism. The Gospel speaks well of the grain of wheat which accepts to die in order to bear fruit in a new life ( Jn 12:24-25), but this death is not that of fear and resignation, it is that of a life totally offered in testimony in the very midst of persecution.

In other words, we must work more than ever to ensure that Christianity has the right to exist in your country, that it is freely welcomed in mentalities, that its testimony is offered at all levels in a persuasive way, so that the culture that is being developed feels at least challenged by Christian values ​​and takes them into account. Christ was incarnated, offered his life and rose again so that his light shines in the eyes of men, so that his leaven raises the whole dough: it is necessary that, mixed with the dough, it renews itself constantly, on condition that it retains its quality of leaven.

4. Dear priest friends, the challenge of secularization calls for an increase in faith among Christians, and first of all among priests. To that world, ours, Christ offers salvation, truth, an authentic liberation; the Holy Spirit continues his work of sanctification; the Good News retains its strength; conversion is possible, it is necessary. Yes, as I recently said to your Swiss colleagues, in a different context but one that has points in common with yours as a society of abundance, the more the world becomes de-Christianized, the more it is affected by uncertainty or indifference, the more it needs to see in the person of priests this radical faith which is like a beacon in the night or the rock on which it leans (Ioannis Pauli PP. II, Allocutio ad Presbyteros in urbe «Einsiedeln» habita , 7, die 15 iun. 1984: Insegnamenti di Giovanni Paolo II , VII, 1 (1984) 1973 s.) .

This faith, I know well that it lives within you. But it must bring about a new pastoral zeal, in all areas, as it animated the founding priests and those who, with many religious and convinced lay people, worked to ensure that French Canada was inspired by Christian, Catholic convictions. Yes, we must speak of the supernatural lucidity and courage of faith that allow us to resist the winds contrary to the Gospel, the destructive currents of what is great in man. We must have the audacity to undertake a fresh effort to form consciences.

With zeal, trusting in the Holy Spirit for a healthy discernment, encourage those who have been able to renew their faith and their prayer and who show generous ardor in taking apostolic initiatives in the Church and in society. You will also be keen not to leave the Christian people in a spiritual void, or in a fatal religious ignorance. If you perceive in them a certain disarray in the face of new things, remember that this people needs, more than ever in times of change, “visible signs of the Church, supports, means, points of reference”, and community support, as I said to your bishops. When he sees the faithful in distress, the humble pastor must always be concerned to welcome them, to listen to them, to understand them: he will sometimes accept a healthy reaction to practices that are actually questionable in liturgy, catechesis or education; in any case he will strive to lead them towards a positive attitude and a deeper understanding.

5. You place great hope in the co-responsibility of lay people and priests, not only to supplement a smaller clergy, but because it is the role of baptized and confirmed lay people to cooperate as living members, in their own right, in the progress of the Church and its sanctificatio ( Lumen Gentium , 33), in its witness, and especially in its witness within temporal realities. For if the Church must play a social role, it is through the laity, united with their pastors and inspired by the Magisterium. With your bishops, I encourage you in this path in which you have been very committed since the Council. The fields of action are multiple. In addition to the various forms of apostolate, it can be a question of charisms exercised for others, of ecclesial tasks, or even of instituted ministries, the latter assuming that the lay person devotes himself with stability to an important service of the Church.

But this morning I will not dwell on the role of the laity: I will do so with those I will meet, particularly in Halifax. Given the short time we have, I will address your specific role, because there is no substitute for the ordained ministry.

6. “The function of priests,” says the Second Vatican Council, “in so far as it unites with the episcopal order, participates in the authority by which Christ himself builds up, sanctifies and governs his Church” ( Presbyterorum Ordinis , 2). You are chosen from the Christian community, and to be at its service. Being a priest is a grace for the whole community. But your function does not come from the community, it is not the community that delegates it to you. Being a priest is participating in the very act by which the risen Christ builds up his Church which is his Body. Christ, the Good Shepherd, always acts in his Church. By your ministry, you represent in a real and effective way the Good Shepherd, who gives his life for his sheep; you act in the name of Christ the Head who builds his Church.

The grace of ordination, which has configured you to Christ the Priest and Good Shepherd, allows you to exercise the ministry of the Word, that of the sacraments and that of the animation of the community, manifesting the initiative and the foresight of Christ with regard to the Church. Your ministry always reminds the community that the Word comes from God, that the sacraments are acts of the risen Christ, that the Church is gathered by and in the Spirit. Yes, your ministry is irreplaceable as a sign and means of gathering believers in the Body of Christ. May God increase your faith to carry out the ministry that he entrusts to you!

Through this ministry, you are the leaders and animators of the Christian communities, receiving your mission from your bishop. This is what establishes your responsible obedience to him, your wise and trusting cooperation with him. You cannot build the Church of God apart from him. Conversely, it is with you and thanks to you that your bishop exercises his function as pastor of a particular Church, always in communion with the successor of Peter.

7. Among all the acts of the ministry which are connected with the triple priestly function, I underline some, thinking of the spiritual needs of your compatriots today.

A certain number of young people have rediscovered prayer. But many others no longer know how or no longer dare to pray. Now this secularized world will only open itself to faith and conversion if it prays at the same time as it hears the Gospel. “This kind of demons can only be driven out by prayer and fasting” ( Mark 9:29 and Matt 17:21). This world needs teachers of prayer, and it turns spontaneously to the priest whom it sees praying in the name of the Church. But we only teach others to pray if prayer is the soul of our own life, if it accompanies all our pastoral efforts.

The daily celebration of the Eucharist, with the appropriate dignity and the awareness of entering into the redemptive act of Christ, obviously remains at the centre and summit of your priestly lives.

If the Christian people refrain from coming to ask for forgiveness of their sins, in a personal approach, possibly prepared in common, this must make us question: what importance do we give to this ministry? What availability do we show? Do we educate sufficiently in the sense of sin and of God's mercy?

The growth of secular knowledge contrasts with a growing religious ignorance. How do we deal with this in the catechesis that every young person should be able to benefit from, and what means of formation do we provide for adults, in addition to substantial homilies and in-depth preparation for the sacraments? The timely presentation of the faith demands all the more effort because it must, in a language that touches the mind and the heart, be faithful to the whole of the creed.

You have been entrusted, dear friends, with guiding consciences and therefore with responding with clarity and courage to the many questions that modern events and discoveries raise.

All areas of life need this illumination and appropriate reflection. I am thinking, among other things, of everything that could help families, young people, engaged couples, and homes to better perceive God's plan for love, for the meaning of marital union, for responsible fatherhood, for fidelity, not only from a moral perspective, but also from a theological and spiritual perspective.

I know that you are committed to educating in the spirit of the beatitudes, in respect for man, in justice, in sharing, in the dignity of the poor, of the handicapped, of the lonely old person, in solidarity with the starving multitudes. And you must do this in a society where we encounter both the excesses of consumption and the insecurity of unemployment.

Daily coexistence with our separated brothers has helped you to develop ecumenical relations, which always require theological deepening and coherence with the directives of the Secretariat for Unity.

How can we not also wish to see the missionary spirit cultivated which has been so flourishing and so generous in Canada throughout the course of this century?

Finally, I would like to emphasize two points whose urgency does not escape you: awakening priestly and religious vocations, through the radiance of your own zeal and your joy in being priests, but also through a pressing invitation to follow Christ who always calls.

And in general, this youth, whom I must meet this evening and who show so much good will alongside their miseries, has great need to find in you trusting attention and the inspiring example of disciples of Christ happy to follow in his footsteps.

8. In my meetings with priests around the world, I have seen that they wish to live an intense spiritual life adapted to their vocation. It is from your ministry, fulfilled with conviction, and centered on the Eucharist, that there develops your spiritual vitality, which it is necessary for you to maintain also in moments of personal prayer. As servants of the word of God, may you yourselves be challenged, refreshed and revived by it. You who assemble communities and are responsible for unity, allow yourselves to stand in wonder at the works which God accomplishes in his people. As ministers of Sacraments, let yourselves be converted by what they celebrate. One cannot baptize without being invited himself to be born again. One can not preside over a marriage without questioning one's own way of giving oneself in love to the Lord and to one's brothers and sisters: celibacy is a sign of this freedom with a view to service. One cannot celebrate the Sacrament of forgiveness without whispering at the bottom of one's heart: Lord, I too am a sinner who needs to be forgiven. One cannot celebrate the Eucharist without letting oneself be overcome by the love of Jesus who has surrendered his life for the many. In the exercise of your ministry, let yourselves be seized by the power of the Spirit.

Does not the Bishop say to the new deacon when handing him the Book of the Gospels: "Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach"? And to the priest: "Imitamini quod tractatis". All your ministry must be situated in a climate of paying and of sacrifice that unites you to Christ the Mediator and establishes you in his peace and his joy.

The quality of your mission depends also on the fraternity and unity which you priests will establish among yourselves, with respect for legitimate differences of sensitivity and charism, but in the impassioned quest of the same proclamation of the Gospel, in faithfulness to the Church.

Remember the priests who, across the world today, risk their freedom and even their lives in order to be faithful to their priesthood and to continue to sustain the faith of their people.

9. I would have liked to address myself at greater length to the permanent deacons. Dear friends, I simply wish to repeat here that your ordained ministry is connected to that of the priests; it prepares for it and effectively prolongs it; or else it shares in it when it is a question of Baptism or of preaching. The Church counts on your actions, for, according to you own vocation, you play your part in accomplishing her mission.

I greet in a special way the seminarians present at this meeting. You have heard me speak of the beauty and the demands of the priestly ministry. This is what must keep you in the joy of being called by God to cooperate in this ministry, with the determination to prepare yourselves for it with all your strength: put prayer at the center of your formation, study thoroughly all the doctrines of the Church on the scriptural, dogmatic and moral planes. From this moment on, live in pastoral availability to the faithful, and maintain fraternal ties with your fellow students and trust in your Bishop. The future of the Church in Quebec will depend on your fervor in following Christ.

All of us here, in this Oratory, where so many graces have been obtained, ask for the intercession of Saint Joseph. He had alongside Jesus and Mary a humble role, a role of servant, living continually in intimacy with the Son of God. We are above all servants of the Son of God.

We ask for the intercession of Mary, associated in an incomparable way with the work of her Son.

Be men of faith and hope! And I, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, cordially impart to you the Apostolic Blessing.

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