This volume of the Spiritual Thoughts Series on the thoughts of Benedict XVI gathers the reflections of the Holy Father on the topic of priesthood. A timely collection for the occasion of the Year for Priests, which begun on June 19, 2009 and would end on June 19, 2010. This was declared in honor of Saint John Vianney, also known as the Holy Curé of Ars, on his 150th death anniversary.
These are a few of the reflection points that can be drawn from the Holy Father’s words to priests from the frequent homilies and meetings with the clergy of the Italian dioceses and of the world on the occasions of pastoral visits and apostolic trips. He steadfastly entreats them in order to accompany and support them in carrying out a mandate that is not always simple and easy in a world that “does not want to know God…and…does not want to listen to his ministers (Homily, May 3, 2009)—but a mandate that constitutes the most necessary and engaging adventure for the world: “the adventure of showing, of making present, the fullness of life to which we all aspire” (Homily, February 1, 2008).
-Lucio Coco
Edmondo Caruana, OCarm
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