During Chrism Mass in the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Johannesburg, the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Apostolic Nunciature in South Africa reminds priests that they are called by God to do his work and to spend more time in prayer.

“We are here to remind ourselves of how God has called us, and that it is God’s call, not a human call, but God’s call. Let us never forget that. We are called by God, not by men. And God called us to do great works. God’s works,” said Mgr. Dario Paviša during the Chrism Mass.

In his homily, Mgr Paviša reminded the 170 priests gathered at the Cathedral of Christ the King that they “are spiritual fathers who in persona Christi mediate the gift of eternal life.”

“If we take into account what is expected of a priest, we could say that such a being does not exist, because he should be: Both big and small at the same time,” said Mgr Paviša.

Who is a Priest?

A priest said Mgr Paviša is “noble in spirit, as if he were of royal blood, simple and natural as if he had peasant roots; a hero in overcoming himself, a man who fought with God; at the same time the source of sanctification and the sinner whom God forgave.”

He continued, “Master of his desires, servant of the timid and weak, who does not bow before the powerful, but bows before the poor.  A disciple of his Master and a leader of his flock.  A beggar with wide open hands, bearer of countless gifts; a man on the battlefield, a mother who strengthens the sick (…) a lover of peace, an enemy of immobility, always steadfast, so different from me” (see R. Sarah, For eternity, pp. 71-72).”

Mgr Paviša asked, “But at the end of the day, who is a priest? A priest is a man.  Son, father… And mother… Disciple of Jesus Christ.  In it, divine holiness and human sinfulness meet. The priest is a human being.”

Institution of the Holy Eucharist and Holy Orders

In his homily during the Chrism Mass, the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Apostolic Nunciature in South Africa spoke about the institution highlighted the institution of the Holy Eucharist and Holy Orders.

He said, “The most important thing is to realize that there is no Eucharist without Holy Orders. And without the Eucharist, the priest is completely unnecessary, without the Eucharist he becomes a manager, a functionary, a businessman.”

Mgr Paviša thanked priests for their “daily sacrifice, tireless work, and testimony” of their love.

“We often hear ugly things about priests. Unfortunately, sometimes that is true. But tell me, how many planes fly every day, thousands, nobody talks about them. All the news is talking about that plane that goes down. This is understandable, for the aviation industry, but not for the priestly mission,” he said.

He added, “As many fine and holy priests as we have, let them be our inspiration. We pray for priests to be holy followers of Jesus Christ. Dear priests, we are the first to be called to pray for each other. I will ask myself and you a question. When was the last time I prayed for priests, for my brother who is in trouble, who is sick, who is in a vocation crisis?”

We are called to be people of prayer

Amid daily commitments and endless meetings, “we become like managers” Mgr Paviša said “Preoccupied with big thoughts, we solve important problems, we constantly have some meetings, meetings, and we have already got blisters on our buttocks from so many meetings. But the question is whether we have blisters on our knees from praying in front of the Most Holy!”

“Let these be days of prayer and silence. Days of blisters on the knees,” he concluded.