Articles

San Giuseppe and the priesthood

We present two themes, chosen from among the messages of Pope Francis in February. St. Joseph and his relationship with us and the figure of the Catholic priesthood, in the current context and in relation to evangelization, in preparation for a symposium on priesthood. 

Ramiro Pellitero-March 10, 2022-Reading time: 8 minutes
san jose

Photo: ©2022 Catholic News Service / U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

(You can read the original version in spanish qui). Translation: Franco Olearo

To read the Apostolic Letter Patris corde (December 8, 2020), which celebrated the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of St. Joseph as patron of the universal Church by Blessed Pius IX, Francis dedicated two general audiences to him. His aim was to present him as "support, consolation and guidance".but "lasciarci illuminare dal suo esempio e dalla sua testimonianza"..

This catechesis on St. Giuseppe covers three main topics: the figure and role of the saint on the road to salvation, his virtues and his relationship with the Church. 

San Giuseppe and his role in the salvezza piano

San Giuseppe and the environment in which he lived (cfr 17-XI-2021) invites to value the essential and what is simple, through discernment, personal and with the help of the Church. In: "San Giuseppe in the history of salvation" (24-XI-2021) the patriarch's task is that of guardian of God's designs and, therefore, of the colors in whom the Signore trusts (a recurring argument in this pontificate since the beginning (cfr. 19-III-2013).

Nell'udienza terza: "Giuseppe, uomo giusto e sposo di Maria". (1-XII-2021) has sent a message to new and not so new couples, on the need to move from innamoramento (the "romantic" aspect) to mature love, an imperative but necessary step to free true love and make it resistant to the tests of time, transforming the difficulties into opportunities for growth. 

San Giuseppe, eat "uomo del silenzio" (man of silence) (15-XII-2021), ci invites to "to make room for the Presence of the Word made flesh".. Referring to the Sacred Scriptures, St. Augustine, St. John of Croix and Pascal, the Pope noted that Jesus grew up in that "school" of silence of Nazareth, which favors prayer and contemplation, as noted in the Vangelo.This teaches us to use our language for good and not for evil (cf. James 3:2-10), and not to fall into the activity of work for its own sake.

The virtue of San Giuseppe

San Giuseppe, "persecuted and valuable migrant". (29 XII 2021), was the theme of the next catechesis. Giuseppe shows himself to be a just, courageous and strong man as required by ordinary life, which he always puts in front of the adversities. This has given the Pope the opportunity to invite people to pray for migrants, the persecuted and the victims of political, historical or personal circumstances.

At the beginning of the new year, Francisco spoke about saint Giuseppe, Gesù's putative father (5-I-2022). He considered the beauty of the adoption in contrast to the way it is practiced today and asked that it be facilitated by the institutions, while putting in place all the rigorous controls that are necessary.

Next, he spoke on the subject of work, with the title of San Giuseppe Falegname (12-I-2022). The work is "una componente essenziale nella vita umana, e anche nel cammino di santificazione".. Il Papa ci ha invitato a pensare a "what we can do to recover the value of work; and in what we can contribute, as a Church, so that it is subtracted from the logic of mere profit and can be seen as a fundamental right and duty of the person, which expresses and enhances dignity"..

In seguito ci ha invitato a considerare saint Giuseppe, father with tenerezza (19-I-2022), evidencing his love and mercy. He evoked the mercy of the Lord, who always forgives (sacrament of Confession). And the need for a "rivoluzione della tenerezza".which promotes the risk of collapse - also for those who are in prison - for those who seek justice. 

Soffermandosi on the figure of "San Giuseppe, uomo che sogna".(January 26, 2022), Francis reflected on the four dreams of St. Joseph according to the Gospels (Mt 1:18-25; Mt 2:13; Mt 2:19-20; Mt 2:22-23). He has proposed, especially in situations that we do not understand, to turn to God in the preghiera . God never leaves us without help or at least an inspiration. In this context, he proposed to pray for many people who need faith and hope in the face of various problems and difficulties. Francesco referred to "genitori che vedono nei propri figli orientamenti sessuali diversi". e ha pregato affinché sappiano "how to manage this situation, to accompany their children and not to find themselves in a condemning attitude". He did not fail to underline that, as we see in the life of St. Joseph, authentic prayer translates into work and love.

San Giuseppe, the "communion of saints" and his protection at the time of death.

In the final part of these catecheses, in the month of February, the Pope turned his attention to the reality of saint Giuseppe and the communion of saints (2-II-2022), and the communion of saints is the Church itself (cfr. Catechism of the Catholic Church946), sia quella terrestre che quella celeste. 

Sulla terra, has osservato Francesco, "The Church is the community of saved sinners."We are all brothers through the battle, which is an indissoluble bond on earth. Hence our solidarity, both in good and in evil. The "communion of saints" includes the deceased sinners (in purgatory) and the unreconciled sinners in this world, including "coloro che hanno rinunciato alla fede, che sono apostati, che sono persecutori della Chiesa, che hanno rinnegato il loro battesimo, (... .) i bestemmiatori, tutti"..

In fact, it should be remembered that, according to the Second Vatican Council (cfr. Lumen gentium, nn. 14 and 15), sinners, if they are baptized, "participate" in the communion of saints, that is, in the Church, even if in an imperfect or incomplete way. And if they are not baptized, they are "ordained" to the mission of the Church, in a certain way they relate to it in the measure in which they are close to the truth and live coercively the charity. 

The penultimate catechesis was about San Giuseppe, Patrono della buona morte (9-II-2022). Francesco evoked the traditional aid that Christians traditionally ask of the patriarch at the moment of his death. He praised the Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who, in the process of reaching 95 years of age, testified to his awareness of the reality of death. Christian faith - said Francesco - helps to face death. It illuminates it through the resurrection of Christ, it helps us to face what is earthly and to concentrate on charity. It urges us to take care of the sick and not to "scare" the elderly. 

Finally, the Vescovo of Rome has reflected on saint Giuseppe, patron saint of the universal Church (II-16-2022). It is our precise commitment to take care of our life, commitment and work and of men and the Church: "Ogni persona che ha fame e sete, ogni straniero, ogni migrante, ogni persona senza vestiti, ogni malato, ogni carcerato è il 'Bambino' che Giuseppe prende in custodia".. In the same way, we must teach Giuseppe to "guard" the gifts that come to us from the Church: "amare il Bambino e sua Madre, amare i Sacramenti e il popolo di Dio; amare i poveri e la nostra parrocchia". (cfr Patris corde,5).

Dobbiamo to love the Church as it isconcluded the Pope, as a people of sinners who find God's mercy. At the same time, we must recognize all the goodness and holiness present in the Church. The Church is all of us Christians. Therefore, we must take care of ourselves and protect ourselves, and not distract ourselves. And for this Pope Francis asks for all the intercession of St. Joseph.

The priest and his "vicinanze": al cuore sacerdotale di Cristo

The Pope's speech at the Symposium: For a fundamental theology of priesthood (17-19 February 2022), organized by the Congregation for the Blind, is composed of an introduction and four sections, corresponding to the following "quattro vicinanze" of the priest.

In the introduction, the Pope claims to speak from his own experience, from the witness received from so many brave priests and also from the experience of having accompanied others for whom the priesthood was in crisis. He affirms that in the priestly life the time of trial can coexist with peace, in order to be helped by God and by others. 

Sottolinea that at times of important changes - such as the current one -va evitato un doppio rischio: that of nostalgically reflecting on the past, and that of fidgeting too much about the future with exaggerated optimism, thus denying the wisdom that comes from discernment in the present. The auspicious attitude". It is born from the trustworthy grasp of reality, anchored to the wise living Tradition of the Church, which can allow us to take the long road without pause (...) with the confidence that He is the Lord of history and that, guided by Him, we can discern the path to follow. 

As for the priest, he must seek his own sanctity, following the call received for the first time in the baptism; and he must help and evangelize (cfr John Paul II, Esort. ap. Pastores dabo vobis, 26), per non cadere nel funzionalismo. 

Riguardo al "discernimento della vocazione"., ciascuno, keeping his humanity, his history and his nature, he must ask himself if in conscience that vocation can dispel in him the potentiality of the Love that he has received in the battle. For this reason it is of great help that the Christian communities are strong and apostolically alive.

On the basis of these elements, the Pope has exposed the four vicinities of the priest (and the priest's vestryman) that on other occasions he has indicated as pilastri of a style that imitates that of God (reflected in the priestly heart of Christ): closeness, compassion and kindness.

Vicinanza a Dio (vita spirituale)

If it is della vita spirituale o vita interiore del sacerdote, della sua "vita di preghiera" per rimanere in Christ (cf. Gal 15:5-7). From there comes the strength for the ministry and its fruitfulness; the ability not to be scandalized by everything that happens, whether for anything humanly pleasing or less; the strength to bind temptations, trusting in the lot, in the spiritual combat of the priest. It is not only a matter of "religious practices" (practices or devotions), but of "of worship of the Word, of the Eucharistic celebration, of the silence of adoration, of the gift of self to Mary, of the wise counsel of a spiritual guide, of the sacrament of Reconciliation"..

The priest should not be reluctant to be active or in other distractions, but should present himself in prayer with a "cuore contrito e umile" (cfr Ps 34 and 50). This attitude will bring that heart closer to Christ, to accept the wishes of his people, which in turn will bring it closer to the Lord. The prayer is the first task of the priest and the priest. He is to "feel small" before God (cf. Gv 3:30), and it will not be a problem for him to make himself small even in the eyes of the world.

Vicinanza al vescovo (obbedienza)

Per molto tempo, says Francesco, l'obbedienza è stata fraintesa. "Obbedire, in questo caso al vescovo, significa- sottolinea il Successore di Pietro -"to teach to accept and to remember that no one can pretend to be a "detainer" of God's will, which must be understood only through discernment. Obedience, therefore, is the knowledge of God's will, which is discerned in a single word".. This avoids to close oneself in oneself and to lead a "scapular" life with the corresponding hands.

The priest, therefore, must "difendere i legami". that you have with the blind and with the Church in particular. You should ask for the blind and express your opinion with respect, courage and sincerity. This "esige anche dai vescovi umiltà, capacità di ascolto, autocritica e lasciarsi aiutare"..

Vicinanza tra i presbiteri (priestly fraternity)

The priestly fraternity, the Pope emphasized, has Christ as its foundation (cfr Mt 18:20). "Fraternity is to deliberately choose to try to be holy with others and not only, holy with others". The characteristics of fraternity are those of love (cf. 1 Cor, chapter 13), accompanied by peace and the ability to live and suffer with others. In this way, indifference, isolation and even invidiousness are combated. bullism priest the risk and the pettegolezzo.

L'amore fraterno è come una "palestra dello spirito". and a thermometer of the spiritual life (cfr Gv 13, 35). It leads to live the mission, to embrace and feel at home, to guard and protect oneself in vicariate. It is in this way that celibacy is seen with serenity, as a gift of sanctification, a gift that requires healthy relationships. "Senza amici e senza preghiera, il celibato può diventare un peso insopportabile e una contro-testimonia alla bellezza stessa del sacerdozio. .

Vicinanza al popolo di Dio (passione del pastore)

In this regard, the Pope makes reference to the Lumen gentium Si tratta, sottolinea, non di un dovere, ma di una grazia (cfr. Evangelii gaudium,268-273). La missione sacerdotale implica insieme "passion for Jesus and passion for his people".In the midst of the difficulties, of the wounds, of the "orphanage" that abounds in our society of "retirees", not as employees, but as coragiosi, neighborly and contemplative shepherds, for "annunciare la forza operante della Risurrezione sulle piaghe del mondo." .

This is the best antidote against a deformation of the vocation that is born precisely from the realization that the priestly life is due to others - to the Lord and to the people entrusted to him. This dimension - Francesco observes - is at the base of the clericalism e delle sue conseguenze. "Clericalism is a perversion, and also one of its signs, rigidity, is another perversion." . Curiously, clericalism is constituted not on the vicinity, but on the distance. e si associa alla "clericalization of the laity"., dimenticando la propria missione. 

Prendendendosi cura di queste quattro vicinanze, conclude il Papa, il sacerdote può meglio identificarsi con il cuore sacerdotale of Christ, to be visited and transformed by Him.

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