I recently completed the following article on the Preface for Priesthood in the Roman Missal which is used at Ordinations to the Priesthood and the Chrism Mass.
The Roman Missal recommends the same Preface be used for the Chrism Mass and for the Ordination of Priests. It carries the title The Priesthood of Christ and the Ministry of Priests and provides a remarkably succinct meditation on what Priesthood is all about.
It begins, as does our entire lives, with Christ the High Priest, who by “the anointing of the Holy Spirit”1 was made the “High Priest of the new and eternal covenant.” Our High Priest is the "one mediator between God and men.”2 who “by offering himself on the Altar of the Cross as a spotless sacrifice” has accomplished the redemption of the world.3
But, God our Father “by [his] wondrous design” also willed that the Priesthood of Christ should continue in the Church. Thus, in Baptism, those who are joined to Christ in his dying and rising are adorned with a share in his holy and royal Priesthood” and are empowered to offer the “spiritual sacrifices [of their lives] to God through Jesus Christ.”4 It is precisely these innumerable sacrifices offered each day by the people of your parish, which you acknowledge and join to Christ’s perfect Sacrifice when you invite them, not only to pray that your sacrifice (offered by virtue of your ordination) might be acceptable, but that their sacrifices,‘the very offerings of their lives.’5 “may be acceptable to God the almighty Father.”6
But even this great Baptismal sharing in his Priesthood was not enough for Christ, who “with a brother’s kindness, also chooses men to become sharers in his sacred ministry through the laying on of hands.” To these he gives the work of carrying out “publicly in his name, and on behalf of mankind, a priestly office in the Church.”7 And by his mysterious design, he chooses even men like you and me.
This great and sacred work which Christ gives to we unworthy few is described by the Preface in terms of the threefold work which he accomplished upon the Altar of the Cross.
First, we are called to celebrate the Sacraments with fidelity and a complete donation of heart and soul, body and mind, especially in placing the Paschal Banquet before his sons and daughters. Second, we are called to proclaim the Gospel with courage and joy, believing what we read, teaching what we believe, and practicing what we teach.”8 Finally, in imitation of the Good Shepherd, we are called to lead his people in charity: to guide them to him by urging them to love one another as he has first loved us.
And how do we accomplish such a task? The Preface provides us with three suggestions.
First, we must give up our lives for God and “for the salvation of [our] brothers and sisters.” For it is not possible for a Priest to offer the perfect Sacrifice of Christ unless he first offers himself entirely to God.9
Second, we are called to “strive to be conformed to the image of Christ himself.” The first time this was asked of you was on the day you were ordained as a Priest, when, as the Bishop placed the prepared Chalice and Paten into your hands, he exhorted you to conform your life to the mystery of the Lord’s Cross.10
Thus, the last suggestion of the Preface is a summary of the first two: “offer…a constant witness of faith and love.”
We have been striving for all the years of our priesthood to make this offering. As Bishop McManus proclaims this Preface at the Chrism Mass this year, may we renew our prayer that God might bring to conclusion what he has so well begun.
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1 - Cf. Roman Missal, Preface: The Priesthood of Christ and the Ministry of Priests. Subsequent quotations from the Preface are included without attribution.
2 - Cf. 2 Tim 2:5.
3 - Cf. Roman Missal, Preface: Christ, King of the Universe.
4 - Presbyterorum Ordinis [PO], no. 2.
5 - Cf. PO, no. 5.
6 - Roman Missal, Order of Mass.
7 - Rite for the Ordination of Priests [OP], Instruction.
8 - OP, Instruction.
9 - PO, no. 213.
10 - OP, Presentation of the Chalice and Paten.
