Who is called to the priesthood?

The priesthood is a call from God to live a relationship with Him by serving His people. Jesus Christ chooses ordinary men to do the extraordinary. Just as He chose His first apostles, calling them each by name to follow Him, He does the same today through the call to serve Him as a priest.
A vocation to the priesthood is counter-cultural. First of all, it is a response to the love of God in one’s life. Further, it is a life of
self-sacrifice that is aimed at restoring and recovering a love of God in the world.
The priest brings the people to God and God to the people. Priests are called to be open to God’s love, promises and will.
 

What does a priest do?

Priests share in the mission of Christ. They perform three main tasks:

• Teach –priests instruct others in the faith through their preaching, teaching and example of self-sacrifice.
• Shepherd—priests guide, unite & encourage their flock, their spiritual children.
• Sanctify— priests administer sacraments.

A priest is prayerful, desiring to love God and God’s people with his whole being. He is available and involved in the day-to-day lives of the people he is privileged to serve and represents the presence of Christ and the Church – ever beside its members through the successes and struggles, joys and sorrows of life.
 

Signs that indicate a possible vocation to the priesthood may include:

• Love of God—you strive to know and love God more everyday.
• Love of neighbour—you desire to bring God’s love and grace to the world for the salvation of souls.
• Attracted to the priesthood—you have an interior attraction to the priesthood. There is a certain sense of joy and peace when you contemplate yourself living as a priest.
•  A willingness to serve the Lord as his priest—The willingness to be a priest is already an excellent sign that the Lord wants you to be a priest.
• A generous heart and willingness to sacrifice

Prayer for Priests

Almighty Father, in Your plan for our salvation You provide priests for Your people.
We pray for those whom You call to serve the Archdiocese of Kingston as priests.
Please help to inspire men who are called to a priestly vocation to generously answer Your call
and participate in the fullness that You have planned for them.
Grant them courage and vision to serve Your people. Raise up worthy ministers for Your altars
and ardent but gentle servants of the Gospel.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Eternal High Priest.
Amen.

Fr. Jan Kusyk
Director of Vocations

613-542-2377

[email protected]