The documents of the Second Vatican Council continue to be such a gift to the Church. In many ways, they are the gift that keeps on giving. One of those documents that has relevance for us priests is the Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests, otherwise known as Presbyterorum Ordinis.

The document refers to a priest’s “right relationship to the world” (No. 17). By their nature, priests walk a tightrope. On the one hand, they give witness to a life beyond this world; on the other hand, they do this while living in the world. The document states, “Their ministry itself, by a special title, forbids that they be conformed to this world; yet at the same time it requires that they live in this world among men. They are to live as good shepherds that know their sheep, and they are to seek to lead those who are not of this sheepfold that they, too, may hear the voice of Christ” (No. 3).

One of the keys to mastering this task is cultivating a virtuous life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines virtue as a “habitual and firm disposition to do the good,” adding, “It allows the person not only to perform good acts, but to give the best of himself. The virtuous person tends toward the good with all his sensory and spiritual powers; he pursues the good and chooses it in concrete actions” (No. 1803).

As priests it is important that we work on developing the cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance. Equally important are the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity, which are foundational to living a good and moral life. But there are more virtues integral to priesthood.

‘Think about these things’

It is interesting to note that Presbyterorum Ordinis identifies its own list of priestly virtues: goodness of heart, sincerity, strength and constancy of mind, careful attention to justice, courtesy, and others which the apostle Paul commends when he says, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Phil 4:8).

“Think about these things.” It is hard at times, given the demands of priestly ministry, to think consciously about virtue, let alone intentionally practice it. Fatigue, disillusionment and challenging circumstances can become obstacles to thinking about and living an intentionally virtuous life. Inevitably we find ourselves fighting that battle to live in the world but not be of it.

How can we as priests think more about virtue and living a virtuous life? Recently, I was looking for a new, fresh way of examining my conscience, and I found myself drawn to a book on my shelf titled “St. Meinrad Prayer Book.” I purchased the book nearly 10 years ago when I was at St. Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana for a mini sabbatical. The book contains a whole section on preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, including a part dedicated to what it calls “the Little Virtues.” Among these little qualities of goodness are “courtesy, cheerfulness, order, loyalty, use of time, punctuality, sincerity, caution in speech, kindness, patience, tolerance, integrity, balance and gratitude.” The point for consideration here is to find a way to incorporate these lists of virtues in our daily examination of conscience. It is a clear way we can respond to St. Paul’s charge to “think about these things.”

It is vital that we continue to avail ourselves of God’s grace and, at the same time, learn more about these virtues, big and little, as we aspire to be virtuous priests. To that end, I recommend for spiritual reading, “Learning the Virtues That Lead You to God,” by Romano Guardini. One of the virtues Guardini treats is silence. He writes, “To be capable of silence is a virtue.” Perhaps in this silence we can renew our commitment to live a virtuous life. 

BISHOP DAVID J. BONNAR, editor of The Priest, is bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown.