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The rich experience of the Church concerning the ministry and life of priests condensed in various documents of the Magisterium, [1] has received in our days a new impulse thanks to the teachings contained in the post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation "Pastores dabo vobis."
The publication of this document, in which the Supreme Pontiff has wanted to unite his voice as the Bishop of Rome and Successor of Peter to that of the synodal Fathers,[2] represents for priests and for the entire Church, the beginning of a faithful and fruitful way of deepening and applying its contents.
"Today, in particular, the pressing pastoral task of the new evangelization calls for the involvement of the entire People of God and requires new fervour, new methods and a new expression for the proclaiming and witnessing of the Gospel.
This task demands priests who are deeply and fully immersed in the mystery of Christ and capable of embodying a new style of pastoral life".[3]
Those primarily responsible for this new evangelization of the third Millennium are the priests, who, however, in order to realize their mission, need to nourish in themselves a life which is a pure reflection of their identity, and to live a union of love with Jesus Christ Eternal High Priest, Head and Master, Spouse, and Pastor of his Church.
They should strengthen their own spirituality and ministry with a continuous and complete formation.
This Directory, requested by numerous Bishops during the Synod of 1990 and in a general consultation of the Episcopate promoted by our Congregation, was conceived in order to respond to these needs.
In order to outline the content, the suggestions of the entire world episcopate --consulted on purpose--, the results of plenary sessions of the Congregation held in the Vatican in October of 1993, as well as the considerations of many theologians, canonists and experts on the matter from diverse geographical areas and involved in current pastoral work were taken into account. Effort was made to offer practical elements for employing initiatives in the most unitary way possible, while avoiding specific conditions which are proper to a particular Diocese of Episcopal Conference. With this in mind, it appeared proper that this Directory recall only those doctrinal elements which are the basis of the identity, spirituality and continuous formation of priests.
The document, therefore, does not intend to offer an exhaustive exposition on the priesthood, nor a mere repetition of what has already been authentically declared by the Magisterium of the Church, but rather to respond to the principal questions of a doctrinal, disciplinary and pastoral nature, placed upon the priests by the demands of the new evangelization. Thus, for example, there was a need to clarify the true priestly identity, as the Divine Master has willed and as the Church has always seen; it is not reconcilable with those tendencies which would like to empty or annul the reality of the ministerial priesthood.
Particular emphasis was given to the theme of communion, a demand especially felt today, with its imminent presence in the life of the priest. The same can be said of priestly spirituality which, in our times, has suffered many contradictions, above all, due to secularism and an erroneous anthropologism.
Therefore, it is necessary to offer some counsels for an adequate and permanent formation which may help the priests to joyfully and responsibly live their vocation.
The text is directed of course, through the Bishops, to all the priests of the Church of the Latin Rite. The directives contained here concern, in particular, the secular, diocesan clergy, although with due adaptations, they can also help priests of religious institutes and of societies of apostolic life.
It is hoped that this Directory be a help for every priest in deepening his identity and in growing in his spirituality; an encouragement in the ministry and permanent formation--for which each one is primarily responsible--, and a point of reference for a rich and authentic apostolate for the good of the Church and of the entire world.
From the Congregation for the Clergy, Holy Thursday 1994. Jose Card. Sanchez Prefect +Crescenzio Sepe Titular Archbishop of Grado Secretary
3. In communion with the Father, with the Son and with the Holy Spirit
4. In the Trinitarian Dynamics of Salvation
5. Intimate Relation with the Trinity
7. In the Heart of the People of God
9. Personal Communion with the Holy Spirit
10. Invocation of the Holy Spirit
11. Strength to Guide the Community
12. "In" and "in front of" the Church
13. A Certain Participation in the Spousal Nature of Christ
14. Universality of the Priesthood
15. Missionary Nature of the Priesthood
16. Authority as "amoris officium"
17. Temptation of "Democratism"
18. Distinction between Common and Ministerial Priesthood
19. Only the priests are pastors
20. Communion with the Trinity and with Christ
23. Communion in the Eucharistic Celebration
24. Communion in the Ministerial Activity
25. Communion in the Priesthood
26. Incardination in a Particular Church
27. The Presbyterate: a Place of Sanctification
30. Communion with the Lay Faithful
31. The Communion with Religious and Members of Institutes of Consecrated Life
32. Pastoral Work and Vocations
33. Political and Social Obligation
34. Interpreting the Signs of the Times
35. The Demands of the New Evangelization
36. The Challenge of Sects and New Cults
37. Lights and Shadows in Ministerial Activity
38. Priority of the Spiritual Life
39. Means for the Spiritual Life
40. Imitating Christ in Prayer
41. Imitating the Church in Prayer
43. Manifestation of the Charity of Christ
49. Celebrating the Eucharist Well
51. Minister of Reconciliation
52. Dedication to the Ministry of Reconciliation
53. The Necessity of Confession
54. Spiritual Direction for the Priest and for the Others
57. Steadfast Will of the Church
58. Theological-Spiritual Motives of Celibacy
60. Difficulties and Objections
63. Authority Exercised with Charity
64. Respect for the Liturgical Norms
65. Unity in Pastoral Planning
66. Obligation of Ecclesiastical Attire
68. Imitating the Virtues of our Mother
69. The Need for Ongoing Formation Today
71. Instruments of Sanctification
72. It Must be Imparted by the Church
85. Retreats and Recollections
91. Collaboration between Churches
92. Collaboration with Academic and Spirituality Centres
94. After a Certain Number of Years
96. Priests in Special Situations