Diocese of Ferns - Vocations

What is a priest?

All baptised Christians, led by the Spirit of Jesus, are called to be His witnesses both in what we say and in how we live. In that way, we literally re-present Him. Baptism is not just something that happens to us; it is about what we become. We become members of the body of Christ. To use the words of St. Teresaof Avila: "Christ has no body now, but yours."

Priests represent Christ in a particular way when they celebrate the Eucharist, and also when they preach the Gospel or celebrate the other sacraments. Through the sacrament of Holy Orders a priest, in spite of his own human limitations and even his personal sinfulness, "becomes Christ" for the people. This is not just a matter of imitating Christ or taking his place. We believe that through the power of the Holy Spirit, it is Christ Himself who teaches, feeds, heals and forgives His people, in the ministry of the priest.