Pursuing virtue is an ancient and enduring quest that has guided humanity toward a life of freedom and purpose since the dawn of civilization. Over millennia, the wisdom of Catholic philosophers and theologians has distilled these virtues into foundational categories: the cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance, and the theological virtues of faith, hope and love. These pillars of moral and spiritual life serve as our compass, guiding us through the complexities of living.

However, virtue is not merely an abstract concept; it is a lived reality, a habit of the heart, a Christ-centered way of being that empowers us to choose the good and the right. In its essence, a virtue is a good habit, a disciplined practice that, with God’s grace, becomes ingrained in our very being. These disciplines, infused with the Holy Spirit, shape our character and guide our actions, becoming a natural expression of our inner life.

Yet the path of virtue is not without its challenges. We often stumble when we distance ourselves from God’s grace, when we rely solely on our strength and discipline, neglecting the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Virtues without God become mere disciplines, prone to erosion rather than growth, failing to bring life to ourselves and those around us. Self-reliance becomes our kryptonite.

The cultivation of virtue requires diligent practice and a conscious effort to emulate the virtuous life of Christ. We are not perfect, but through persistence and unwavering faith, we can grow holier, becoming more like the one we serve, Jesus.

The Virtues We Need Now

My journey into the exploration of virtues has been hand in glove with my spiritual growth over the years. Searching for further understanding of how to live out virtue, I began to study the lives of the saints, finally writing “Holy Grit,” a book conceived as a guide to help men grow spiritually, to deepen their faith in Christ and their life of virtue.

As I delved deeper into the subject, I discovered a profound connection between virtue and the lives of these saintly men, so much so that each chapter of the book highlights the uniqueness and virtuousness of a specific male saint: St. Joseph, St. Paul, St. Padre Pio, St. John Paul II, St. Louis Martin, St. Thomas More, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Augustine and St. Peter. These men, from diverse backgrounds and eras, encountered Christ and embarked on lives marked by extraordinary virtue.

Their lives reveal a powerful truth: God raises individuals with the virtues necessary for the challenges of their era. St. Joseph’s paternal love was essential for the Holy Family, St. Maximilian Kolbe’s sacrificial love shone brightly during the horrors of World War II, St. John Paul II’s unwavering hope inspired a generation, and St. Thomas More’s courage stood as a beacon of integrity. I could go on forever highlighting saints throughout history.

These saints’ virtues were deeply rooted in their hearts and souls, yet they also served as prophetic witnesses, embodying the specific graces needed to influence the culture for the Gospel. They were not merely living out the cardinal and theological virtues; they were embodying Spirit-given virtues tailored to the needs of their time. Their Christian witness was enabled by God’s grace and became a “lived out” reality of virtue in a very prophetic way.

Recently, I had the privilege of leading a convocation for bishops and priests, where the presence of the Holy Spirit was palpable. It was a powerful reminder that God is actively empowering his priests for this pivotal moment in history, calling them to live virtuous lives that illuminate a world shrouded in darkness. A reminder that the priesthood is set apart to be a prophetic witness to the culture.

That brings us to the heart of this article: an invitation to our priests to embrace the virtues that are needed in this season of the Church and the world. These are not merely abstract ideals but “prophetic virtues,” meant to proclaim the Gospel with renewed vigor and relevance.

The Virtue of Being in Love

In a world where the very definition of love has been distorted and diluted, the virtue of being in love stands as a radical counterwitness. To be in love with Christ is to make every decision through the lens of that passionate devotion, allowing it to permeate every aspect of one’s life.

Priests, like husbands, are called to a profound love affair, a lifelong commitment to their beloved. In a culture that demands administrative prowess, compelling oratory and social media savvy, it is essential to remember that the primary calling of a priest is to be a lover of Jesus Christ.

While administrative skills and effective communication are valuable, they must never overshadow the foundational reality of a priest’s love for Christ. We need priests who rise early to pray, whose days are punctuated by intimate communion with the Lord, and whose nights are spent in grateful contemplation. We need priests who are more concerned with their relationship with Jesus than with social media views.

It’s too easy to fall for the trap that priests are to become CEOs and administrators; that somehow the answer to the world’s problems lies hidden in a perfectly organized Excel sheet. While these skills are important for the Church to have, the true heart of the priesthood lies in being a lover of Christ. A man whose every action is motivated by an overflowing love for his Savior becomes a priest who looks like Jesus, because he is in love with Jesus.

The Virtue of Fatherhood

In a culture marked by the absence of fathers and recognizing the struggles they face, the virtue of fatherhood is more critical than ever. Priests, “Fathers,” are entrusted with the spiritual care of their flock, embodying the paternal love of God.

God the Father is the perfect Father, and priests are called to reflect his love and character to those they serve. They are called to be pursuers of the lost, shepherds who seek out straying sheep and lead them back to the fold. They are called to offer wise counsel, guiding their flock along the narrow path to Christ.

In a world inundated with conflicting voices and fleeting trends, the wise voice of the priest, rooted in God’s truth, provides stability and direction. Like Moses at the Red Sea, they stand ready to receive God’s guidance and relay it to their people.

The virtue of priestly fatherhood is also characterized by presence. Just as God was a constant presence to the Israelites, priests are called to be present to their flock, offering unwavering support and guidance. Their presence speaks volumes, assuring their people that they are not alone.

The Virtues of Self-Awareness and Authenticity

“If you are what you ought to be, you will set fire to all Italy,” St. Catherine of Siena wrote to one of her disciples, reminding us that in a world plagued by insecurity and masked identities, the virtues of self-awareness and authenticity are a powerful antidote. Christ, the epitome of authenticity, invites us to embrace our true selves and to live without artifice.

Priests, like all Christians, are called to live in a community and to be known and loved by others. They must cultivate self-awareness, acknowledging their gifts and limitations, their strengths and weaknesses. This journey of interior growth requires honesty, transparency and a willingness to be vulnerable.

Isolation breeds stagnation, while community fosters growth. Priests must embrace community, cultivate friendships and journey alongside others. By living authentically, they inspire others to do the same, creating a culture of honesty and vulnerability within the Church.

The Virtue of Healing

The healing ministry of Jesus continues through his priests, who are called to be instruments of his restorative power. However, they must also be willing to receive healing themselves. When priests embrace the virtue of healing, their ministry becomes a powerful force for transformation.

Unhealed wounds can hinder ministry, affecting those whom the priest serves. Conversely, when priests pursue healing in their own lives, they create a generational impact, bringing healing to their flock.

Our deepest fear is that we will be rejected if our true selves are known. But the truth is that vulnerability fosters connection, and authenticity invites love. When people see our wounds, they often respond with compassion and understanding.

The Virtue of Self-Gift

“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn 15:13). The priesthood is a vocation of self-gift, a call to follow in the footsteps of Christ, who gave his life for the salvation of the world.

In a culture obsessed with comfort and self-preservation, the virtue of self-gift stands as a radical counter-witness. Priests are called to embrace a life of sacrificial love, offering themselves freely and generously for the sake of the Gospel.

Self-gift becomes a beacon of hope, demonstrating the transformative power of love that knows no bounds. Just as the love of a married couple reflects God’s love for the Church, the self-gift of a priest illuminates the sacrificial love of Christ.

The Virtue of Detachment

Vows are sacred promises and commitments that shape our lives and define our vocations. Priests, like married couples, make vows to love and serve, to be faithful and fruitful. Attachments to worldly comforts can hinder our ability to live out these vows with joy and purpose.

The virtue of detachment allows us to embrace our vows with renewed fervor, freeing us from the shackles of materialism and self-indulgence. By detaching ourselves from the things of this world, we can more fully embrace the mission to which we have been called.

The Virtue of Holiness

“Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy” (Lv 19:2). This is the ultimate, overarching call, the foundational imperative upon which all other virtues ultimately rest. This is not merely a lofty aspiration, a distant ideal reserved for a select few; it is an essential, nonnegotiable requirement for all who seek to serve God authentically, particularly for those who have been consecrated to the priesthood. Holiness is not an optional add-on to the priestly vocation; it is its very essence, its lifeblood, its defining characteristic.

Priests, like all baptized Christians, are universally called to a life of holiness, a life increasingly marked by a deep, abiding and transformative love for God and neighbor. But even more profoundly and specifically, priests are called to be signs of holiness in the world, living embodiments of God’s presence and grace.

Each priest, in his unique personality, his distinct charisms and his particular circumstances, is called to live a life of holiness in the specific way that Christ calls him to live it. This is no small feat, demanding ongoing conversion, relentless self-sacrifice and unwavering fidelity to the Gospel. Yet this pursuit of holiness is not merely a burden to be borne; it is the very essence of the priestly calling, the source of its transformative power and the wellspring of its prophetic witness.

Prophetic Witnesses

These virtues — being in love, fatherhood, self-awareness and authenticity, healing, self-gift, detachment and holiness — while certainly not exhaustive, and always to be understood in harmonious integration with the foundational cardinal and theological virtues, represent some of the most essential qualities needed for effective and prophetic priestly ministry in our time.

We can draw immense encouragement and hope from the enduring witness of the saints throughout history. Just as God empowered these extraordinary individuals with the specific virtues needed to address the unique challenges of their respective eras, so, too, we can be confident that he will faithfully empower his priests today, in this moment of history, with the grace and strength necessary to live their priesthood with unwavering faith, vibrant hope and boundless love.

By consciously and courageously surrendering their hearts anew to him each day, priests will undoubtedly receive the abundant grace and transformative power necessary to not only navigate the complexities of our age but to become truly prophetic witnesses of Christ to a world desperately in need of his light, his truth and his love.

Indeed, there has arguably never been a time more urgently needed than now for priests to rise up and boldly embrace their calling to be prophetic witnesses of Christ in a world adrift and profoundly in need of authentic hope. Echoing the prophetic wisdom of Pope St. John Paul II, we recognize that “this power of the Spirit is more necessary than ever for the Christians of our time who are asked to bear witness to their faith in a world which is often indifferent” (General Audience, July 1, 1998).

May all embrace this challenge with courage, humility and unwavering faith, trusting in the inexhaustible power of the Holy Spirit to transform your priestly ministry into the prophetic witnesses Christ calls you to be. 

PAUL GEORGE is a Catholic speaker, teacher, consultant and author of several books, including “Holy Grit: A Saintly Guide to Becoming a Man of Virtue” (Ave Maria, 2023). He has more than 25 years of ministry experience on the parish, diocesan and national levels, including eight years as president of Adore Ministries, which he co-founded.