On the eve of the Feast of St John Mary Vianney, Patron Saint of Parish Priests, the recently ordained Bishop of Kroonstad called on priests and seminarians to embrace the priesthood as a vocation of selfless service, humility and total dependence on God’s grace.

Bishop Amos Mabuti Masemola delivered the reflection during Solemn Vespers at St John Vianney Seminary in Pretoria, as the bishops of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) prepared for their August Plenary Session.

Reflecting on the First Letter of Peter, Bishop Masemola reminded those present that the priesthood is not a career or a means of personal advancement, but a gift and mission entrusted by Christ. “Priesthood is not about what we can gain, but about what we can give. It is not a career, but a vocation; not a possession, but a mission,” he said.

Drawing inspiration from the life of St John Mary Vianney, the patron of parish priests, Bishop Masemola noted that the French saint possessed neither exceptional academic ability nor worldly influence yet became one of the greatest priests in the Church because he surrendered completely to God’s grace. “He prayed, he sacrificed, he loved his people, and he never sought personal gain. His secret was simple: he relied not on himself, but on God,” said Bishop Masemola on Monday, 03 August 2026.

A vocation of joyful service

The Local Ordinary of Kroonstad Diocese encouraged priests never to approach their ministry with reluctance or resentment, warning that such an attitude would eventually become a burden. “If we approach priestly ministry with bitterness or reservation, it will eventually crush us. But if we embrace it with love, it will lift us,” he said.

Quoting St John Vianney’s famous words that “the priesthood is the love of the Heart of Jesus,” Bishop Masemola reminded priests that every conversion, every healing and every transformed life is ultimately the work of God’s grace.

“We are instruments, not the source,” he said, adding that this awareness protects priests from pride while sustaining them during moments of difficulty.

Formation begins before ordination

Addressing the seminarians directly, Bishop Masemola stressed that authentic priestly formation extends beyond academic studies and pastoral training. “Formation is about shaping your heart to love the priesthood as a gift,” he said.

He encouraged them to cultivate humility, prayer and openness to God’s will from the very beginning of their formation. “Do not wait until ordination to live as servants of Christ. Start now, so that when the day comes, you will embrace the priesthood with joy and passion.”

Simplicity reflects the heart of Christ

A central theme of the reflection was the virtue of simplicity. Bishop Masemola described simplicity not as deprivation but as “freedom of heart”—the ability to detach oneself from comfort, recognition and personal gain in order to serve God’s people wholeheartedly.

“Christ himself lived simply, owning nothing, yet offering everything. The priest who lives simply reflects the heart of Christ to the world.” He cautioned against refusing pastoral assignments because they appear less attractive or materially rewarding. “We must never refuse priestly responsibilities because there is no personal gain. Priesthood is not about what we receive, but about what we give.”

Whether serving affluent urban parishes or poor rural communities, he said, every priest shares the same mission: bringing God’s love to His people.

Guarding against entitlement

Bishop Masemola also warned against what he described as one of the greatest temptations facing priests: a sense of entitlement. “There is often a tendency to act as though the Church owes us, as if every task undertaken must be rewarded,” he observed. Such an attitude, he said, transforms priesthood into a transaction rather than a vocation of love. “Christ himself came not to be served, but to serve.”

Recalling the witness of St John Mary Vianney, he noted that the saint’s ministry was sustained not by recognition or personal benefit but by an unwavering love for God and His people.

Hidden shepherds revealing Christ

Concluding his reflection, Bishop Masemola invited priests and seminarians to rediscover the joy of hidden service, reminding them that the true reward of priesthood is found in bringing people closer to God.

“The reward of priesthood is not in what we gain, but in seeing souls drawn closer to God—in the joy of celebrating the sacraments, in the tears of reconciliation, and in the hope restored to the weary.”

He urged future priests to reject the pursuit of status or recognition and instead allow Christ to shine through humble service. “Learn to serve with zeal even when no one notices. Learn to love without expecting to be loved in return. Learn to give without counting the cost.”

Invoking the intercession of St John Mary Vianney, Bishop Masemola concluded by encouraging everyone to become “humble shepherds after the heart of Christ, so that together we may reveal Christ to the world.”