Benedict XVI on the priest of today:

1. Benedict XVI on the priest of today: “The essential foundation of priestly ministry is a deep personal bond to Jesus Christ. Everything hinges on this bond, and the heart of all preparation for the priesthood and of all continuing priestly formation must be an introduction to it. The priest must be a man who knows Jesus intimately, who has encountered him and has learned to love him. For this reason the priest must be above all a man of prayer, a truly ‘spiritual’ man.” From Called to Communion: Understanding the Church Today, 1996

2. The Spirituality of the Diocesan Priesthood IPF 503 - A Creighton University June 13 – 24, 2005

4. The AngelusColossians 1: 9-11

5. WEEK ONE Fr. James Rafferty Diocese of Scranton, PA Fr. Nicholas Rouch Diocese of Erie, PA WEEK TWO Fr. Michael Fuller Diocese of Rockford, IL Fr. Austin Vetter Diocese of Bismarck, ND Instructors

6. Some Basics • Location • Time • Attendance • Availability outside of class time

7. Syllabus • Textbook and other readings • Purposes of the course • Requirements for the course • Attendance • Participation • Reading • Paper • Approach of the course

8. I. Understanding “Spirituality”A continuum of perspectives

9. Working definition of Spirituality “Our belief in and our response to God’s love in Jesus as experienced across the whole spectrum of our human lives so that we may live and serve more united with one another and with God in the Holy Spirit. Fr. George Aschenbrenner, Quickening the Fire, p. 3

10. Presumptions about Spiritualityin this course: • A. Spirituality is religious. It is the engagement with the true and living God. • B. Spirituality is Christian, therefore Trinitarian. • C. Spirituality is Catholic. • D. Spirituality is integrative. • E. Spirituality is communal. • F. Spirituality is initiated by God, yet God awaits our active response. (More on this later.) • G. Spirituality prompts responsible action – our commitments, decisions, actions.

11. II. Models of Christian Conversion:Spiritual Awakening • Ronald Rolheiser, O.M.I. • Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman • St. Thomas Aquinas How does one become awakened in faith?

12. Ronald Rolheiser, O.M.I. A healthy and vibrant spirituality keeps two functions of the soul in creative tension: • To provide zeal, passion and energy • To provide order, unity and harmony (See Rolheiser, The Holy Longing, Ch. 1)

13. Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa • The Christian must both believe in the depths of one’s heart… and profess one’s faith publicly. • “The most frequent sin in us, men of the Church, might be that of professing without believing. Little by little, faith becomes a ‘creed’ that is repeated with the lips, as a declaration of belonging, a flag, without ever asking oneself if one really believes what one says, writes and preaches.” (Advent 2004)

14. John Henry Cardinal Newman Real Christian spirituality occurs when…… • the realities we profess in the creed and celebrate in the sacraments… [notional apprehension and assent] • …are experienced as real [real apprehension] • …by the individual believer • …in the living of his life • …prompting him to commit his life and center his energy on those realities. [real assent] (See J.H. Newman, Grammar of Assent)

15. St. Thomas Aquinas Three distinct acts within the act of faith: • Credo Deum – I believe that God exists • Credo Deo – I believe what God reveals/teaches • Credo in Deum – I believe into God; I surrender myself over to Him. “The believer’s act of faith does not terminate in the propositions, but in the realities they express.” (ST II-II, Q.1, Art.2, ad.2, as quoted in CCC #170)

16. The Unique Spirituality of Diocesan Priesthood

18. III. The 3-legged stool Christian spirituality is a dynamic interplay of: • Relationship – With whom I relate I enjoy intimate communion with the Trinity. • Identity – Who I am This communion establishes my identity. • Mission – What I do This identity sends me out on mission.

19. III. The 3-legged stool for the Priest • Relationship: How do I relate to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit? to… Bishop, faithful, priests, non-Catholics, family members, etc.? • Identity: Do I embrace my identity as the Church understands the grace of priesthood? • Mission: What do I do in the Church and the world? Does what I’m doing flow from my identity?

20. A Priest’s identity flows from Christ By virtue of the priest’s relationship with Christ, he is configured to Christ at the level of being, “in persona Christi capitis.” The priest is now conformed to Christ as: • Head of the Body, the Church (while remaining a member of the Body) • Shepherd (while remaining part of the flock) • Bridegroom of the Church (while remaining part of the Bride)

21. Before tomorrow’s class: • Read Quickening the Fire: • Introduction, pp. xv-xxii. • Chapters 1-3, pp. 1-26. • Review the notes: • What holds the most meaning for you? • What new ground might you investigate? Most importantly, remember your hour of prayer!

22. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Praise Him all creatures here below! Praise Him above ye’ heavenly hosts! Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!Amen!

23. A Priest’s identity flows from Christ By virtue of the priest’s relationship with Christ, he is configured to Christ at the level of being, “in persona Christi capitis.” The priest is conformed to Christ as: • Beloved Son of the Father (basic Christian identity) • Spouse of the Church (celibacy) • Spiritual Father (prophetic ministry) • Spiritual Physician (sacramental ministry) • Head of the Body, and Shepherd of the Church (pastoral charity and authority)

24. Excursus: How spirituality thrives Spirituality is initiated by God, yet God awaits our active response. What does this active response look like? • Prayer – time with God • Fasting – discipline of the will and passions • Almsgiving – generosity and thoughtfulness of others • Obedience – moral living • Openness and honesty in spiritual direction, Penance • Docility and courage • Regimen and flexibility