Holy Orders

www.CincinnatiVocations.org

The priest's chief responsibilities are to bring about the presence of Christ in the Church and to share in Christ's office as teacher, sanctifier, and leader.¹
Being human, Christ knew the sufferings and trials of the people.   These realizations allowed him to be present with his healing grace and mercy.   In the same way, the priest as a human being is fully aware of the struggles and temptations of this life.
He realizes the frailty of human nature.  As a priest, he carries on the healing and saving work of Christ.
It is true that we are free to approach God on our own, but perhaps this story will make it clearer why we sometimes want something more:  A sleepy little girl didn't want her mother to leave her alone.  Her mother whispered, "Don't worry, God is always with you."  The little girl cried, "I want someone with skin on." 
This is what people have constantly sought, and this is what God gave us in Jesus, God-made-flesh.  And this is what we look for in the priesthood, Christ made present to us in a person.²

¹Second Vatican Council
²C8, Catechumenate:  The Sacrament of Holy Orders:  Journey of Faith