 Vol. IV no 23 |
June 9, 2010 Catholic Church |
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A new priest for our Church |
A new priest for our Church
On Friday, June 11, at Notre-Dame-de-Pompei church, I will have the joy of ordaining a new priest, Mr. Grzegorz Cisek. Together with the entire Church of Montreal, we are rejoicing. Such an event does not occur often these days.
Nevertheless, day after day following Eucharistic celebrations, we continue to ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers for his harvest. (Luke 10:2).
It is true that a vocation is a call from God. But to be heard, this call must be received by an open and willing heart. No one exists as an island. As such, one’s family and Christian community, the catechists and the priests one meets, the groups one joins and one’s personal journey, it is really the complete network of people and relationships that disposes a person to hear the Lord’s call.
Once ordained, the priest must maintain and develop another network of relationships to accomplish his mission: his relationship to Christ, to the bishop, to the presbyterium and to the faithful.
“In the image of Christ the eternal high Priest, the priests are consecrated to preach the Gospel and shepherd the faithful and to celebrate divine worship.” (Lumen Gentium, no. 28). They receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and “are signed with a special character and are conformed to Christ the Priest in such a way that they can act in the person of Christ the Head.” (Presbyterorum Ordinis, no. 2).
United with Christ, they are also united with their bishop. “Established in the order of the priesthood they can be co-workers of the episcopal order for the proper fulfillment of the apostolic mission entrusted to priests by Christ”. (Presbyterorum Ordinis, no. 2). For the bishop, they are not only collaborators but “sons” as well. And priests are asked to regard their bishop as a “father”.
The priest is also a member of the presbyterium, comprising all the priests of the diocese. Participating, with his colleagues, in the mission confided to his bishop, the priest is called to live in close “fraternity” with them. “No priest, therefore, can on his own accomplish his mission in a satisfactory way. He can do so only by joining forces with other priests under the direction of the Church authorities.” (Presbyterorum Ordinis, no. 7).
Finally, the priest has a particular relationship to the Christian faithful. He “serves” the people of God. He is ordained both to guide and to strengthen the people of God. Every priest must strive to see all those under his pastoral care as “brothers” and “sisters”.
This is what Mr. Grzegorz Cisek will be called to accomplish during his priestly life. Our prayers go with him as we wish him a happy and fruitful ministry.
+++++++++++++Also on June 11, the Chapel of the Sanctuaire de la Réparation au Sacré-Coeur will celebrate its 100th anniversary. From the outset, the chapel has been an important pilgrimage site and has played a significant role in promoting devotion to the Sacred Heart. We are grateful to the Dominicans, to the Blessed Sacrament Fathers and to the Capuchin Friars Minor, the current custodians of the sanctuary, who, over many years, have offered a faithful presence and an important pastoral service at this prayerful oasis. To mark the centenary, Auxiliary Bishop André Gazaille will represent me at the 7:30 p.m. solemn mass, which will be celebrated at the Sanctuary.
† Jean-Claude Turcotte
Archbishop of Montréal
