Alcuni elementi della formazione sacerdotale nei discorsi e scritti quaresimali di beato Paolo VI

Abstract

Priestly formation was always an important issue for Paul VI, therefore, being the head of both Milan and Universal Church, he annually addressed his paternal words to the priests during the Lenten time. His teaching revolves around such topics as: priestly identity, sanctification, service and unity. Priestly identity stems from a living relationship between a priest, the appointed one, and Christ who appoints him and it is pursued in the concrete world’s realities which impose on Christians, especially priests, difficult choices and tasks. Sanctification consists in proclamation of God’s Word and celebration of sacraments, in which God himself acts. However, the first recipient of the sacred rites must be the priest himself. What is more, the priest’s service to man, the Church and the world, must be humble and have its source in love, in imitation of Christ in Cenacle, it should, moreover, be realized in the spirit of the Gospel and be directed at seeking the greater glory of God, never that of one’s own. Priestly unity provides essential assistance in improving the sphere of identity, sanctification and service. Deriving from the Last Supper and from Christ’s prayer, it guarantees fidelity to the chosen way of life, efficacy of pastoral ministry and stable development of the Church.

Keywords

• priesthood
• formation
• Paul VI
• sanctity
• service
• pastoral ministry