Priests' primary mission

Moved by the letter of Jacqueline Calleja, A Prayer For Priests To Continue In Their Mission (January 1), I wish to say that it is true that priests need prayers. Jesus during the Last Supper, in the so-called Oratio Sacerdotalis, prayed for the priests thus: "I do not pray that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but thou shouldest keep them from the evil one. Sanctify them in truth... Father, keep them in thy name, those thou hast given me..." (John17:15-17).

Priests need prayers to continue their mission. Mgr Anton Gauci a few years ago urged the clergy, especially parish priests, to help their bishop. He lamented that some priests and parish priests preferred to undertake activities other than pastoral ones, putting their priestly duties in second place. Thank the Lord these are only a few, he added. The priest's first obligation is to fulfil his priestly duties.

A comment in Il-Mument (November 29) ran: Sometimes some priests prefer to work in the office than in the church. Some do not know that the confessional exists because they are always busy. A priest, especially a parish priest, is a spiritual pastor, not an organiser.

I am afraid that some do not know that a confessional exists. They enter the church only when they celebrate in person because they are always busy.

Yet a priest is a spiritual pastor, says Cardinal Colombo.

Pope Benedict XVI said we are in need of holy priests. He does not want part-time priests but full-timers.

The Archbishop of Calabria urged his clergy not to seek material works so that the faithful would not speak badly against them because they have abandoned their pastoral work.

Once, a priest visited St John M. Vianney, telling him about his activities. The Cure' d'Ars answered him: How many times have you gone to knock at the Tabernacle?

Augustine said some priests did not have vocation for priesthood or they had lost it.

In French churches, after Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, these invocations are said: Lord, give us priests; Lord, give us holy priests; Lord give us many holy priests.