The priesthood. A gift of love that illuminates the world

From June 25 to 27, the Church celebrates the Jubilee of Priests: days of celebration, reflection, and thanksgiving for a gift that, often in silence, continues to shape our communities: the priesthood. But what does it truly mean to be a priest today? And why, in a world so dynamic and at times disoriented, is this vocation more relevant and necessary than ever?
To answer these questions, we draw inspiration from the profound and enlightening words of Bishop Bruno Forte, who, in his pastoral letter Priests for Love: The Beauty and Ministry of the Priesthood, invites us to rediscover the beauty of this mission.

A gift from the Heart of God, not a “job”

In an age when we are accustomed to defining people by their work roles, it is essential to remember a profound truth about the priesthood: “Being a priest is not a bureaucratic job, but the fruit of a gift that comes from God.” It is a calling that does not arise from a résumé, but from a divine initiative, a personal invitation from Jesus himself. Think of the Twelve: “Jesus went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they went to him. He appointed Twelve to be with him and to send them out to preach” (Mk 3:13-15).
This divine origin makes the priesthood an “effective sign of Christ, Head of His Body, which is the Church, at the service of the Gospel, reconciliation, and fraternal charity.” It is not a role to fill, but an existence to give, for the happiness of those who are called and of those in whose service they will spend their lives.

The priest: an expert in humanity and a witness to selfless giving

But what does this “gift” look like in everyday life? First and foremost, the priest is a man among men, called to deep solidarity. As Bishop Forte emphasizes, “the priest is asked to be an expert in humanity, sharing in everyone’s joys and sufferings, attentive and respectful toward each person.” It is not about being perfect, but about being authentically human, with one’s own weaknesses, just as Christ himself “is able to feel right compassion for those who are ignorant and in error, since he too is clothed in weakness” (Heb 5:1-4).
Its “strength… lies in its weakness: it is existing for others that makes it credible”. In a society often marked by individualism and calculation, the priest embodies the “beauty of gratuitousness”, living his existence as a “gift for others, a challenge of love that overturns the worldly logic of profit”. He is a “sign of contradiction”, an oasis of hope for a “crowd of solitudes”.

An indelible mark rooted in the Trinity

How is this very special gift transmitted? Through the sacrament of Holy Orders, a gift comprising three degrees: the episcopate, the presbyterate (from which the term “priest” derives), and the diaconate. Ordination is a solemn moment of “vocation”, “invocation” and “consecration”, in which “the charism of ordained ministry is transmitted through the laying on of hands and the bishop’s prayer”. This bond with Christ is so profound that it is called “character”, that is, an “indelible mark”. The saintly Curé of Ars loved to say: «The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus». A love rooted in the Trinity, with the Holy Spirit making it a “sign and servant of communion”.

Let us never forget our priests

The 2025 Jubilee is a privileged moment to thank God for the gift of the priesthood and to pray for our shepherds. Let us humbly ask that they may increasingly be a faithful reflection of the Father's infinite love, capable of bringing reconciliation and growth in faith, hope and charity. Indeed, a faithful priest is a true treasure for the community.

May this Jubilee be an opportunity to rediscover and appreciate the beauty of this freely given love, and to support through prayer those who have chosen “the humble and beautiful path of the priesthood lived out of love”.
In your experience of faith, was there a priest who was a privileged instrument in helping you discover the Father's loving face? Tell us about him in the comments!

If you would like to reflect further on the priest's vocation and mission in the world, we recommend exploring Bishop Bruno Forte's insights in Letters to the People of God and Priests for Love.