The two essential elements of priestly ministry

Perhaps I should change the name of this site to Sixteen Reasons -- as in, Benedict XVI's reasons for embracing dynamic orthodoxy. You could certainly devote a blog to unpacking the works of his ordinary Magisterium. At this morning's Wednesday audience, the Holy Father continues his catechesis on St. John Mary Vianney and the priesthood, this time focusing on the essential elements of priestly ministry. After explaining that spiritual sacrifice is at the heart of the priesthood, he offered this correction:

"Following Vatican Council II", Pope Benedict added, "in some places the impression arose that there were more important things in the mission of priests in our time: some people believed that the priority was to build a new society".

Yet "the two essential elements of priestly ministry" always remain "announcement and power", said the Holy Father recalling how Christ sent His disciples out to announce the Gospel giving them the power to drive out demons. "Announcement and power", in other words "Word and Sacrament, are the pillars of priestly service, over and above the many forms it can take".

He then closed with a comment about priestly vocations:

The Pope continued: "When the 'diptych' of consecration-mission is not taken into due account, it becomes truly difficulty to understand the identity of priests and of their ministry in the Church. ... During this Year for Priests", he said, "let us pray for all the clergy. ... Prayer is the primary duty, the true path of sanctification for priests and the heart of authentic pastoral care of vocations".

And he concluded: "The low numbers of priestly ordinations in some countries not only must not discourage us, it should stimulate us to dedicate greater space to silence and to listening to the Word, to improving spiritual guidance and the Sacrament of Confession, so that the voice of God, which always continues to call and to confirm, may be heard and followed by many young people".