Leo XIV: two priests from Peru speak about him

Father Erick Vílchez is a Peruvian who personally knew the Pope Leo XIV. When he was a seminarian and was training to be a priest, he attended the episcopal ordination of Robert Francis Prevost as master of ceremonies. He belongs to the territorial prelature of Chota, suffragan of the archdiocese of Piura.

"I have known Pope Leo XIV since he was Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo. As those who know him have stated, I always saw him as a very close person, with a great capacity for dialogue, who knows how to listen, smiling and very obedient. He has a lot of strength. But above all I would emphasize his deep love for the Church."emphasizes Don Erick.

But what he remembers most fondly was the day he participated as master of ceremonies in the episcopal ordination of Leo XIV on December 12, 2014.

Erick's first encounter with the Pope Leo XIV The first time I spoke with Monsignor Robert, when he had just arrived in Chiclayo, I introduced myself and told him: "Monsignor, we are in charge of the liturgy, we are here to serve". I remember that with his simplicity and with a smile he answered me: "Well, just in case, I am very obedient. So let's prepare in the best way". There, I saw that closeness, his simplicity of that then Monsignor Robert, now Holy Father", declared Erick.

An agreement with the University of Navarra

Don Erick was formed and studied at the seminary of St. Toribio de Mogrovejo in Chiclayo (Peru) when Monsignor Robert Francis Prevost Martinez was bishop of the diocese. He was ordained in 2019 at the age of 26. He is currently studying for a Licentiate in Dogmatic Theology at the Ecclesiastical Faculties of the University of Navarra.

The seminar has a agreement with the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarra for the affiliation of the theological quadrennium of the seminary. This agreement was endorsed by a decree of the Congregation for Catholic Education on seminaries and institutes of study, which is renewed every five years.

On May 8 last year, the company was awarded the baccalaureate exam of four seminarians of Santo Toribio with the visit of the Prof. Félix María Arocenaof the University of Navarra.

In a prison in Chiclayo

Erick also recalls that he met Bishop Prevost in a prison in Chiclayo to assist prisoners and celebrate the sacraments in prison. "In some conversations I had with him, he insisted that we must be formed with a missionary mentalityWe need to value the sense of mission, starting with our own, with those closest to us," he points out.

This Peruvian priest is hopeful that the new Pope Leo XIV, who has dual American and Peruvian nationality, will encourage many young Peruvians to consider returning to the Catholic Church and others to join the Catholic Church. deepen their vocationwhether to become a priest, for religious consecration or as a lay person, celibate or in a vocational marriage commitment.

I am very excited!

"The Pope is always the Pope, but we are very happy to have a Peruvian Pope, I feel very excited," exclaims Erick.

Don Christian, Canon Law student in Navarra, Spain

Christian Munayco Peves is another Peruvian priest, a native of Cañete, who has just finished his degree in Canon Law at the University of Navarra. He belongs to the diocese of Ayacucho in the highlands of the Peruvian Andes. He completed his philosophical-theological studies at the San Martin de Porres Major Seminary in Lima and concluded them at the Juan XXIII Higher Institute of Theological Studies.

He was ordained a priest on the feast of St. Josemaría Escrivá, June 26, 2021. Christian tells how he met Leo XIVMy archbishop was twice elected president of the bishops' conference. That meant that I was constantly coming to the bishops' conference to meet and discuss matters. In the corridors of the conference I remember meeting the man who is now the Holy Father. We exchanged a cordial greeting, but not beyond that. Of those few experiences, I can say that he is an affable, friendly person, of few words, but above all extremely simple and close".

The missionary spirit of Leo XIV

For him, Pope Leo XIV has been a shepherd in constant communion and communication with his faithful, and his visit to Peru only recognizes that God can be followed and served outside our own lands, with a missionary spirit of service, abnegation and personal oblivion.

He also says that, among his fellow Peruvians, knowing that the Pope knows his territory very well, "we appreciate it with great courage, his stance of always confronting with the truth, realities and circumstances that have demanded his defense and listening, on issues concerning social order, charity and justice".

The Pope and the youth

For this priest, who comes from a deeply Catholic family that guided him on the path of his vocation, the election of a Peruvian Pope will stir the conscience of the young people of Peru to consider their vocation: "Undoubtedly, this election is a living and effective testimony that one can be happy in the midst of the world, serving and working in God's enterprise, saving souls.

The environment in which Pope Leo worked-both as an Augustinian religious and as a bishop- was always in the midst of young people, the same people who, since their election, have been called to rethink with greater interest their closeness to the Church and the parish, to reconsider that, in parallel to the life and professional work that each one of them carries out, one can be a saint, with that patent restlessness of knowing that many times God asks for more, because he knows more, and because he wants more from those he loves", he affirms.

"Do not be afraid!"

For him, the first words of the Holy Father on Sunday in the Regina Coeli to young people: Do not be afraid, accept Christ's invitation! We refer with special affection to the words of St. John Paul II, also at the beginning of his pontificate.

"Therefore, it is a message of hope.We cannot be afraid to experience a life that, for purely human reasons, tends to go against the designs and proposals of love and forgiveness outlined by Jesus.

Faced with this dissonance, God counts on us to be co-redeemersto carry with him the cross of human logic, which often tries to diminish the value and validity of his message. Therefore, the message of "not being afraid" invites us to bet on the truth, even though its defense entails the offensive of suffering, exclusion, or injustice, but behind it opens a huge door to heaven," Christian explains.

Erick Vilchez y

Testimony of priestly life

This young priest believes that today, to care for vocations in general, and in Peru in particular, the answer is: with a true witness of priestly life. "For this reason, I cannot fail to thank the Spanish missionary priests who, leaving their homelands, promoted priestly vocations in my parish. They were faithful witnesses and credible models that opting for the priesthood was a decision that led to happiness".

For Don Christian, the papal election has been very joyful news for all Peruvians.It has not only awakened overflowing and gratifying emotions, but has also given us back our enthusiasm for the things of God, and that important spiritual sense of identification and belonging to our local Church".

Pope speaks of unity

He is also struck, with a deep sense of hope, by the fact that the Pope has spoken of unityThe Church, in the midst of a world divided by hatred, political calculations, wars of arms, but also by wars of a spiritual nature that try to divide the Church, is a world divided by hatred, political calculations, wars of arms, but also by wars of a spiritual nature that try to divide the Church.

"We trust that, assisted by the Holy Spirit, and united to our prayers, the Church will go in the right direction, because it has a good shepherd whose goal is to ensure that each of his sheep not only walk in the good fold, but above all that they do not get lost. I want to take this opportunity to thank the CARF Foundation for allowing many of us priests to be trained to serve with better academic means the people that God entrusts to us", concludes Christian Munayco Peves.

Marta Santínjournalist specializing in religion.

What is the Rosary and why is Our Lady of the Rosary important?

The Holy Rosary is a Marian prayer that takes on even more meaning during the month of May, the month dedicated to Our Lady. Praying it throughout the month (and throughout life!) is an act of love and gratitude to Mary, our Mother, who always guides us to her Son, Jesus Christ.

Another important date is also worth noting, the October 7, day dedicated to the Feast of the Virgin of the Rosary. As St. Josemaría Escrivá used to say: "The Rosary is a powerful weapon that we Christians have to confront evil.

Offering it for priests and vocations is especially valuable and is in line with the prayers Pope Leo XIV has asked of us. At the CARF Foundation (learn about our work to help seminarians and priests) we understand the importance of these prayers to support the mission of the integral formation of seminarians and diocesan priests and religious men and women without financial resources throughout the world. Each Hail Mary is an act of faith that can transform lives, supporting those who have given their lives to the service of God and his Church.

Virgen María

How to pray the rosary: a practical guide

From the CARF Foundation we would like to invite you to join us in prayer by offering the Holy Rosary in a special way for our priests and for the vocations that will build the future of the Church. It is an opportunity for us to place in the hands of our Mother those who are already serving, and those who are in the process of formation. Follow these simple steps and offer each mystery with a heart full of faith:

  1. Persevere: "By the sign of the Holy Cross, deliver us from our enemies, O Lord our God. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
  2. Pray a My Lord Jesus ChristAsk for forgiveness for our sins. You can also ask for the strengthening of all priests and for the challenges they face in their mission.
  3. In every mystery, before starting it meditates briefly on its contentsDepending on the day of the week, we will pray a different one. And offer it for someone or something special. To pray the corresponding mystery, begin with an Our Father and ten Hail Marys. Repeat this cycle five times, one decade of Hail Marys for each mystery, completing the contemplation of the five mysteries of the day.
  4. At the end, a Gloria after each decade, giving thanks for all the help we are asking for. End the mystery with this prayer: Mary, Mother of Grace, Mother of mercy and mercy, defend us from our enemies and protect us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
  5. After the five mysteries, you can recite the lauretan litanies.
  6. At the end ofIf you wish, end the Rosary with the recitation of a Salve.

The mysteries of the Rosary: a path of prayer for our priests

As we pray the Holy Rosary, we reflect on the joyful, luminous, sorrowful and glorious mysteries. Each of these moments invites us to reflect on the life of Jesus and Mary, and gives us the opportunity to offer our prayers for those most in need.

Misterios gozosos

Joyful Mysteries: Monday and Saturday

The joyful mysteries invite us to reflect on the first years of Jesus' life and the joy of his coming into the world: the annunciation or incarnation of the Son of God; the visitation of Mary to St. Elizabeth; the birth of the Son of God in Bethlehem; the purification of our Mother and the presentation of her son in the temple; and the child lost and found in the temple.

Misterios dolorosos

Sorrowful Mysteries: Tuesday and Friday

The painful mysteries They fill us with hope by reminding us of all the sufferings, self-giving and love of Jesus before the resurrection and the victory of Christ over death: the prayer in the Garden of Olives; the scourging of the Lord tied to the pillar; the crowning with thorns; the cross on the road to Calvary; and the death of Jesus on the cross.

As we pray these mysteries we ask Mary to continue to inspire new priestly vocations, especially in these times when the world needs committed and very holy priests. Through her intercession, may the young people hear God's call and feel strengthened to dedicate their lives to the service of the Church and others.

Misterios luminosos

Luminous mysteries: Thursday

The luminous mysterieswhich were created by St. John Paul IIhighlight some moments of Jesus' public life, such as his baptism; the miracle of the wedding at Cana; the preaching and proclamation of the kingdom of God; the transfiguration of the Lord; and the institution of the Eucharist.

As we pray these mysteries, we can pray for priests who are already serving, that they may continue to lead their communities with good humor, wisdom and compassion.

Misterios gloriosos

Glorious Mysteries: Wednesday and Sunday

With the mysteries glorious we rejoice in the triumph of Jesus over death and sin, over evil and the devil. We will meditate on his surrender on the cross that redeems us and with his resurrection opens the gates of heaven; the ascension of the Lord to heaven; the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and his mother Mary; the Assumption into heaven body and soul; and the coronation as queen and mistress of all creation.

Prayer for priestly vocations and for diocesan priests is an act of love on this feast; a gesture of faith that strengthens those who dedicate their lives to the service of God and a commitment to the future of our Church.

Why Our Lady of the Rosary is important

The feast of the Virgin of the Rosary, celebrated every October 7, is one of the most significant Marian commemorations in the Catholic liturgical calendar. This celebration not only honors the Virgin Mary under the invocation of the Rosary, but also commemorates historical and spiritual events that have deeply marked Christian devotion.

Table of contents summary

How to pray the rosary: a practical guide

The mysteries of the Rosary: a path of prayer for our priests

Joyful Mysteries: Monday and Saturday

Sorrowful Mysteries: Tuesday and Friday

Luminous mysteries: Thursday

Glorious Mysteries: Wednesday and Sunday

Why Our Lady of the Rosary is important

St. John Paul II and his family

St. John Paul II had a great affection for his parents. Admittedly, this kind of devotion is not common, as some people would find such a photograph nostalgic and sad. Karol Wojtila, on the other hand, kept his parents present until his departure for heaven.

Emilie Kaczorowska, the mother of St. John Paul II

Emilia always presented similarities with her son Karol, with a square and massive face, big eyes and a protruding nose. The daughter of poor artisans, her life was painful, for she soon became a motherless child. She was a woman of strong faith and ardent piety, with a special inclination to Marian devotions. She never enjoyed good health, but the birth of Karol gave her the strength and joy of seeing a healthy and robust child grow up, in contrast to a daughter who six years earlier had died at birth. Emilia had found in a young military man, who would become a captain, the ideal partner for the adventure of starting a family.

He was attracted not only by his good manners and courtesy but also by his deep piety. Stationed in the garrison of the small town of Wadowice, Captain Wojtyla had a modest salary and led a somewhat routine life. He spent many hours away from home, although he arrived home in time to share a peaceful family life, in which prayer and meditation played a prominent role, but also readings in the history and literature of Poland, the homeland that had regained its independence in 1918. As one of the pope's biographers put it, that home was a little Nazareth.

Words of St. John Paul II about his mother: "She was an exceptional woman... I owe my first religious education to her".

Padres de Karol

Photograph of Karol Wojtyla's parents on his wedding day.

Karol Wojtyła (father)

He was always a man of deep faith and discipline, whose life forever marked his son, the future St. John Paul II. He was a retired Austro-Hungarian military officer and later a Polish officer. After the death of his wife Emilia, he took on the rearing of Karol alone, instilling in him Marian devotion, love of prayer and fortitude in the face of adversity.

An austere but affectionate man, he took him to daily Mass and taught him to pray on his knees, even in times of Nazi occupation. His sudden death in 1941 left the young Karol an orphan at the age of 21, but his example of silent piety and dedication to God became the spiritual foundation of his vocation. John Paul II would always remember his father as his "first spiritual guide," the one who showed him that "holiness is not a luxury, but a duty"..

John Paul II's reflection on his father: "My father was a man with a great interior life... With him I learned to pray.".

san Juan Pablo II en brazos de su padre y su madre

The emptiness he experienced in his early years

At the age of nine, young Karol, familiarly known as Lolek, will witness the death of his mother. He is forty-five years old and has been the victim of nephritis. His father, who was fifty in 1929, was forced to retire from the army to take care of his young son.

There is also an older son of twenty-three years, Edmund, who some time before had gone to nearby Krakow to study medicine. This son, stationed in various hospitals, will make frequent visits to the family home to find his father and brother. However, in 1932, when he was only twenty-six years old, Edmund died of scarlet fever. He had caught it from a sick woman whom he had endeavored to cure. Such was his generous and energetic character and his passionate dedication to his vocation as a doctor.

On the road to his vocation to the priesthood

Both Karol, father and son, stay in the Wadowice home. The father prepares the meals, takes care of the cleaning and supervises the child's homework. In addition, in that house many rosaries are prayed, a way to get closer to the heavenly Mother. in the absence of the earthly mother. The son first attends a municipal school, and then the city high school. He is an outstanding student in many subjects, especially in religion, and will also be a hard-working soccer goalkeeper, who wins the sympathy of his classmates, among whom there are many Jews.

Before World War II, about a third of the city's population was Jewish. The young Karol will be impressed by the extreme care Jews put into their religious rites, which sometimes contrasts with empty Christian churches and routine piety. Many years later, when visiting the synagogue in RomeAs pope, he will affirm that "the Jews are our elder brothers in the faith".

Our Lady of Fatima: May 13, light of hope for the world

The Our Lady of Fatima is one of the best known and most venerated Marian invocations in the Catholic Church. Its history begins in a small village in Portugal and has spread throughout the world as a message of hope, conversion and peace. This Marian devotion has touched the hearts of millions of faithful who see in it a manifestation of Mary's maternal love for humanity and an urgent call to conversion.

Pastores de Fátima

The origin of the invocation of Fatima

It all began in 1917, in the village of Cova da Iria, near the town of Fátima, in central Portugal. In that year, three young shepherds - 10-year-old Lucia dos Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto, aged 9 and 7 respectively - claimed to have seen a "Lady brighter than the sun" during one of their shepherding days. This vision took place on May 13 and was the first of a series of six apparitions that were repeated on the 13th of each month until October of the same year.

The children described Our Lady of Fatima as a woman dressed in white, with a rosary in her hands and a countenance full of gentleness and serenity. Despite the initial skepticism of many, crowds began to flock to the site of the apparitions as rumors spread. The last apparition, on October 13, 1917, was accompanied by what became known as the "miracle of the sun," witnessed by tens of thousands of people, believers and non-believers alike. Many witnesses reported seeing the sun dance, spin around and emit extraordinary colors, before appearing to plunge to Earth and then return to its place in the sky.

A Marian invocation with a profound message

Our Lady of Fatima not only appeared to the three children as an extraordinary gesture, but she came with a very specific message. Her apparition took place in a particularly convulsive historical context: Europe was in the midst of World War I and, in Russia, the communist revolution was brewing. In this context, Mary brought words that, while profoundly spiritual, have concrete implications for the history and life of the people.

In the apparitions, Our Lady of Fatima spoke mainly of three key themes: conversion of heart, penance for sins and prayer - especially of the Holy Rosary - as a means to achieve peace.

Virgen de Fátima

The three secrets of Our Lady of Fatima

One of the best known and most debated aspects of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima are the so-called "three secrets". These were revelations that Our Lady confided to the little shepherds, and that would eventually be divulged, each in its own time.

First secret: the vision of hell

In the apparition of July 13, the children received a shocking vision of hell. Lucia described it as a great sea of fire, where there were suffering souls accompanied by horrible demons. This vision was not given to spread fear, but to show the seriousness of sin and the urgent need for prayer and penance for the salvation of souls.

Second secret: devotion to the Immaculate Heart and the conversion of Russia.

In that same apparition, Our Lady prophesied the coming world war (if the world did not convert) and spoke of the need to consecrate Russia to her Immaculate Heart. She said that if this was done, Russia would convert and there would be peace; otherwise, she would spread her errors throughout the world. This message was interpreted by many as a direct allusion to the atheistic communism that would spread after the Russian Revolution.

Third secret: martyrdom and persecution of the Church

The third secret was kept secret for many years and was only publicly revealed by the Vatican in 2000. It contained a symbolic vision of a "bishop dressed in white" walking among ruins and the bodies of martyrs, and finally falling dead from gunshots. This image was interpreted as a representation of the persecutions suffered by the Church in the 20th century, and in particular it has been linked to the attack against St. John Paul II on May 13, 1981, the anniversary of the first apparition.

Our Lady of Fatima and the call to prayer

One of the most repeated elements in the messages of Our Lady of Fatima was the prayer of the Holy Rosary. Mary insisted that the Rosary be prayed every day to bring about peace in the world and an end to war. This insistence underscores the importance the Church attaches to this prayer as a powerful spiritual weapon.

He also asked that sacrifices be offered for the conversion of sinners and that a life of penance be lived. This does not necessarily imply great suffering, but the daily living of difficulties in a spirit of love and self-giving.

The ecclesial and prophetic dimension of Fatima

The message of Fatima is not limited to a personal experience of the three little shepherds, but has a prophetic and ecclesial dimension. The Pope Benedict XVIduring his visit to Fatima in 2010, said that "those who think that the prophetic mission of Fatima is over would be deceived. Our Lady of Fatima continues to challenge the world today, inviting us to a change of life, to a heart that is more humble, prayerful and open to God.

In addition, devotion to Our Lady of Fatima has been especially embraced by the Popes of the 20th and 21st centuries. St. John Paul II, who attributed his salvation from the May 13, 1981 attack to the protection of Our Lady of Fatima, visited the sanctuary on several occasions and consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Benedict XVI and Pope Francis have also shown a deep devotion to this invocation.

Santuario de la Virgen de Fátima
Sanctuary of the Virgin of Fatima, Portugal.

A current message

More than a century after the apparitions, the message of Fatima remains profoundly relevant today. In a world marked by violence, materialism and relativism, Our Lady continues to ask for the same things: prayer, conversion and reparation. Fatima is not a message of condemnation, but of hope: the hope that, with God's help and Mary's intercession, the human heart can be transformed, history can change and good can triumph over evil.

"In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph," promised Our Lady of Fatima. This phrase resounds as a guiding light for believers in the midst of the darkness of the world. To trust in it is to walk with hope towards the Kingdom of God.

Pope Leo XIV: Welcome Holy Father

To their 69 years oldRobert Francis Prevost, chose the name Leo XIV. Pope Leo XIV, and still the current prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, is the first American and the first Augustinian to become Supreme Pontiff in the history of the institution.

Biography of Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost on September 14, 1955 in Chicago (Illinois, USA), is the 267th pontiff of the Catholic Church. A member of the Order of St. Augustine (O.S.A.), he entered the novitiate in 1977 and made his solemn vows in 1981. He studied theology at the Catholic Theological Union from Chicago and later specialized in canon law at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.

In 1985, he was sent as a missionary to Peru, where he served in various pastoral and academic roles. He has been the bishop of Chiclayo since 2015 and in 2023, the Pope Francis appointed him prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. That same year, he was created a cardinal with the diaconia of St. Monica.

On May 8, 2025, he was elected Pope, adopting the name Leo XIV. His election marks a milestone as the first American and Augustinian pontiff in the history of the Church. His career stands out for his commitment to missionary ministry, academic formation and ecclesiastical administration both in Latin America and at the Vatican.

You can read his complete biography on the official Opus Dei website: Biography of Pope Leo XIV.

May 8, 2025, appointment by Pope Leo XIV

At 7:13 p.m. on May 8, 2025, 65 minutes after the white smoke, thousands of faithful and pilgrims saw the curtains of the central balcony of the Vatican Basilica open. The Cardinal Protodeacon, Dominique Mamberti, appeared before the crowd and in a solemn voice pronounced the historic words: "Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam..."followed by the name of the new Pontiff: Cardinal Prevost, who has taken the name Leo XIV.

The square erupted in jubilation. Hundreds of bells rang throughout Rome as flags waved and many faithful embraced excitedly. Amid shouts of "Long live the Pope!" and the singing of the You are Petrusthe new successor of Peter appeared before the world for the first time. Dressed in white and with a serene gesture, he greeted the crowd with an apostolic blessing, thanking his brother cardinals for their confidence and asking for prayers for his mission.

Thus begins a new stage for the Catholic Church, marked by hope and expectation. In the next few hours Pope Leo XIV will address the faithful once again and will formally begin his pontificate with an inaugural Mass in the coming days.

Robert Francis Prevost
Robert Francis Prevost, during a homily.

Message from the Prelate of Opus Dei, Msgr. Fernando Ocáriz

On May 8, 2025, Bishop Fernando Ocáriz, Prelate of Opus Dei, issued a message on the occasion of the election of Pope Leo XIV. He expressed his joy and gratitude for the appointment of the new Vicar of Christ, urging the community to unite in prayer for him and for the mission he undertakes at the head of the Church.

In his message, Bishop Ocáriz stressed the importance of unity of hearts and prayers at times like this, underscoring the faith of the Church that shines with particular splendor. He recalled the words of St. Josemaría Escrivá in ForgeThe Pope, who is considered the cornerstone of the Church, is exhorted to love, venerate, pray and mortify oneself for the Roman Pontiff.

The prelate emphasized that Pope Leo XIV, as successor of PeterHe encouraged the faithful to renew their commitment to prayer and support the Holy Father, recognizing the responsibility and service involved in his new ministry. He encouraged the faithful to renew their commitment to pray for and support the Holy Father, recognizing the responsibility and service that his new ministry entails..

Finally, Bishop Ocáriz invited everyone to live this event with faith and hope, seeing in the election of the new Pope an opportunity to strengthen ecclesial communion and the commitment to the Church's evangelizing mission.

You can read the full message on the official website of Opus Dei: Prelate's message on the occasion of the election of Pope Leo XIV.

The priest, psychology of a vocation

A book that raises many questions about happiness and the vocation of the priest: Is the figure of the Catholic priest still attractive? Can a person who renounces marriage be happy? When to advise against the priesthood or other specific paths of dedication? Christian? These and other questions find useful answers, sprinkled with real life and pastoral experience.

sacerdote y felicidad

The book shows the inner world of the one who responds to God's call

The author of Psychological and spiritual maturity addresses the luminous panorama of the Christian vocation, beginning with the priesthood. The identity and mission of the priest, as of other vocations within the Church, are understood in the light of Jesus Christ, who came to earth to serve and not to be served.

The priest - the book explains - must see the sacred in others, confirming them in their value; and, at the same time, bring the divine, the sacred, to each person. This is the mission that characterizes him and from which comes his dignity and great responsibility before God, before each person and before society as a whole.

It introduces the psychological dynamics, its conflicts and challenges, its sources of peace and harmony. Being a priest implies giving light, comfort and hope.The Church, insofar as it strives to identify itself with Jesus Christ, God made man.

Many of the above ideas apply to other forms of vocation within the Church, especially if they assume the gift of celibacy.

"Life is attained and matures as it is given to give life to others."
Document of Aparecida, 2007, quoted in Francis, Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii gaudium, November 24, 2013, n. 10.

Jesús

Jesus Christ is the common model for happiness

In the first chapter, the process of maturity is presented, underlining the freedom and the moments of crisis along the development. The notes of a mature personality are defined, in order to welcome and make fruitful the free gift of a divine call.

How to discern that call, with the types of vocationThe examination of the person's aptitudes and intention is the subject of the second chapter. It is also mentioned when it is necessary to have recourse to psychologists, following the guidelines of the Ratio for the formation of priests, of the Congregation for the Clergy: The Gift of the Priestly Vocation, 2016.

Sacerdote
Wencesleao Vial, cars of the book. Photo via Zenit.

Harmony of daily life

The third chapter is entitled Harmony of daily life. Here we distinguish between and explain the concepts of good loneliness and harmful loneliness. The psychological importance of prayer and the need for a healthy balance between activity and rest are discussed in depth. Healthy habits and hobbies form a special section, which shows in its development the unity of the three human dimensions: physical, psychic and spiritual.

A dimension of particular strength in the individual is the sexuality. The fourth chapter explains how it can be a source of joy or tormentdepending on whether it is integrated or not, whether it lives humanely or not.

The theme of human love, the understanding of which is the basis for understanding divine love and self-giving, is addressed. It touches on psychological and behavioral obstacles, in particular pornography and homosexual activity, which hinder a serene advancement in the vocation; and ends with some notes on spiritual paternity and the defense of a charism: the celibacy.

agotamiento o burnout

Priest burnout

The fifth chapter analyzes a frequent phenomenon among many service professions or professions on which others depend: burnout, with reference to pastoral practice. The forms of presentation, the persons at risk, and the how to deal with and prevent it. All with the intention of better understanding this picture, similar to depression, which makes many people suffer in different environments, including priests and people engaged in the apostolates of the Church.

The last chapter presents a series of attitudes for the prevention of psychic symptomatology. It deals with the mindfulness or focused awareness and its relationship with Christian meditation and the presence of God. Self-transcendence as an essential characteristic of the human being is related to the apostolic mission and pastoral challenges.

It ends with a reference to the Youth and strength of the spirit, capable of overcoming many difficulties and guiding us along paths of peace and joy. At the end there is a list of recommended books and useful websites.

Where to buy it and in which languages it can be obtained

The book The priest, psychology of a vocation is also published in Italian (The priest, the psychology of a vocationEdusc 2021) and in Portuguese (The Psychology of a VocationQuadrante 2021).

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