The role of the priest in the parish Church is pivotal, especially in the context of evangelization. As shepherds of their communities, priests are called to be the primary heralds of the Gospel, guiding their parishioners in their faith journey and fostering a culture of evangelization. This mission is not merely an obligation but a profound expression of their identity as ministers of Christ. The urgency of this task is underscored by the challenges faced in a world that often seems indifferent to the message of the Gospel.
The Priestly Mission and Evangelization
At the heart of the priestly vocation lies the essential mission of evangelization. As articulated by Pope Benedict XVI, the priest’s ministry is fundamentally missionary and dynamic, aimed at generating faith among those who do not yet believe (General Audience of 5 May 2010: Munus sanctificandi / Pope Benedict XVI). This responsibility encompasses the proclamation of the Gospel, which is not only a verbal declaration but also a lived witness to the transformative power of Christ. The priest, through his sacramental ministry and teaching, acts as a bridge, connecting the faithful to the divine mysteries and nurturing their spiritual growth.
The priest’s role as an evangelizer is further emphasized in the context of the Church’s mission. The Second Vatican Council reminds us that the priesthood is not merely a position of authority but a call to serve and guide the faithful towards a deeper relationship with God (General Audience of 26 May 2010: Munus regendi / Pope Benedict XVI). This dual aspect of proclamation and service is vital for fostering a vibrant faith community.
Empowering Lay People for Evangelization
In the pursuit of evangelization, priests are also tasked with empowering lay people to take an active role in this mission. The spiritual gifts received through ordination prepare priests for a universal mission of salvation, extending beyond their immediate communities (Redemptoris Missio 67 / Pope John Paul II). By equipping lay members with the necessary tools, knowledge, and encouragement, priests can foster a collaborative environment where all members of the Church participate in evangelization efforts.
Training programs, workshops, and community outreach initiatives can be instrumental in this empowerment process. By involving lay people in evangelization, priests not only enhance the Church’s outreach but also cultivate a sense of ownership and responsibility among the faithful for the mission of the Church. This collaborative approach reflects the Church’s understanding that evangelization is a communal effort, where each member plays a vital role.
Making Missionary Disciples of New Converts
The journey of faith does not end with conversion; rather, it is the beginning of a lifelong process of discipleship. Priests play a crucial role in transforming new converts into missionary disciples, guiding them through their initial steps in faith and nurturing their spiritual development. As stated in the teachings of the Church, the responsibility for the faith and life of the People of God rests heavily on the shoulders of pastors (Sacerdotii Nostri Primordia 53 / Pope John XXIII).
This nurturing process involves catechesis, personal mentorship, and the integration of new members into the life of the parish. By fostering a welcoming and supportive environment, priests can help new converts deepen their understanding of the faith and become active participants in the Church’s mission. This transformation into missionary disciples is essential for the ongoing vitality of the Church and its mission to spread the Gospel.
Organizing the Parish for Evangelization
To effectively carry out the mission of evangelization, priests must also take practical steps to organize their parishes. This includes creating programs that facilitate outreach, fostering a sense of community, and utilizing available resources to support evangelization efforts. As Pope Benedict XVI noted, every pastor is a means through which Christ reaches souls (General Audience of 14 April 2010: Munus docendi / Pope Benedict XVI).
Priests can implement various initiatives, such as community service projects, evangelization campaigns, and faith-sharing groups, to engage parishioners and encourage them to share their faith with others. Additionally, fostering a culture of hospitality and inclusivity within the parish can create an environment where individuals feel welcomed and encouraged to explore their faith.
Creating a positive experience for first-time visitors to the parish is essential for evangelization and community growth. Elements that contribute to this include a warm and genuine welcome from parishioners and staff, clear signage to guide newcomers, engaging liturgies that resonate with participants, and opportunities for personal connection after the service. Ensuring accessibility, both physically and in communication, also plays a crucial role in making visitors feel valued and included. By prioritizing these elements, priests can cultivate an inviting atmosphere that encourages first-time visitors to return and deepen their journey of faith.
Conclusion
The role of the priest in evangelization is multifaceted and essential for the life of the Church. By prioritizing evangelization, empowering lay people, nurturing new converts, and organizing parish efforts, priests can significantly impact their communities and the broader mission of the Church. The call to evangelize is not just a task but a profound expression of the priest’s identity as a minister of Christ, inviting all to participate in the transformative power of the Gospel.
Call to Action and Prayer
As the Church moves forward in its mission, both priests and lay people are called to commit to evangelization efforts. This requires a collective response to the call of Christ to share the Good News with all. May Our Lady guide and strengthen all in this mission, inspiring a renewed zeal for evangelization within the hearts of the faithful.
Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
Email: pierre.alain.giffard@gmail.com
Articles on evangelization and parish revitalization:
- Café evangelization at the University of Mary Washington
- Evangelization: A Living Testament of God’s Love
- Living in The Joy of The Gospel
- In The Beginning Was the Word: The Primary Role of Scriptures in Evangelization
- One-Phrase Evangelization
- Asking Each Day for the Grace to Help Someone
- The Parish as an Expression of God’s Love for the World
- If no one speaks, no one will know
- Evangelizing Through Healing: Manifesting God’s Loving Presence
- The Parable of the Wise Landowner
- Extraordinary Signs in Extraordinary Times
- The Evangelizing Message of Medjugorje
- The distinction between proselytism and authentic evangelization
- What God Needs from Us Is Love, Reconciliation, and a Spirit of Forgiveness
- Evangelization: A Collaborative Mission of Love
- Prayer and Service that Finds Favor With God
- The Transformative Power of Love
- The Evangelization Power of Prayer and Love for God
- Everyday Evangelization
- Every Act of Love is Evangelization
- Loving Jesus and Making Him Loved
- Embracing a Lifestyle of Worship and Praise
- A Prayer for Divine Healing and Restoration
- Factors That Have Proven to Attract People to Christ
- Evangelization: Finding Life and Giving Life
- The Eucharist: Source And Summit of All Evangelization
- Practical Steps for Reaching the Unchurched
- Bible Sharing Guide for Small Groups: A Synodal Approach
- Bringing People to Christ by Inspiring Love and Praise for God
- Proclaiming God’s Word: A Sacred Call
- From Decline to Renewal: The Transformation of New Life Church–Farmington
- The Church’s Social Doctrine and Evangelization
- Kindness: A Christian Perspective
- How to Bring Someone to Christ
- The Ultimate Purpose of Human Life – Glorifying God
- From Near-Death to New Life: A Rural Church’s Revitalization Journey
- Evangelization simply: “Taste and see that the LORD is good!” (Psalm 34:8)
- Revitalization of Rural Churches
- Attracting Converts to the Catholic Faith
- Addressing Low Attendance in Churches
- Fostering a Sacred Atmosphere during the Sunday Mass
- Prayer to be baptized in the Holy Spirit
- Jesus is Thirsty for Souls
- Praying And Sharing The Good News With God’s Redemptive Names
- Embracing the Call to Evangelize
- What is Most Pleasing to God? Bringing Souls to Christ
- The Growth of the Church of the Nativity (Fr. Michael White)
- Deliverance Prayer, by Fr. Stephen J. Rossetti (AUDIO – mp3)
- The Growth of Saint Benedict Parish (Fr. James Mallon)
- Five Pillars of the Christian Life
- Encountering Christ: The Path to Transformation
- What does it mean to have a personal relationship with Jesus?
- Unleashing The Evangelization Potential of Your Parish
- The Ultimate Goal of Evangelization
- God’s Longing for Love and our Mission to Make it Known
- A prayer for those whom we wish to encounter Christ
- Memorable Sundays
- Fr. Bedard’s Three-Step Blueprint for Evangelisation
- Guide for The Missionary Transformation of Parishes
- Divine Encounters: A Practical Guide for Small Evangelization Groups
- The Missionary Transformation of Sant’Eustorgio Parish
- Creating Vibrant Faith Communities: Insights from ‘Excellent Catholic Parishes’
- Sharing The Gospel According to People’s Needs And Receptivity
- A Prayer for Inviting Others to Evangelization Meetings and Services
- Welcoming Church Guests and Visitors: Dos and Don’ts
- Various Dimensions of Evangelization
- The True Measure of Success
- Pope Francis on Evangelization
- Revitalizing the Rural Parish for Mission
- Factors Leading to Christian Conversion
- Evangelizing Through Random Acts of Kindness
- Questions To Start Spiritual Conversations
- Three Feet From Gold
- Spreading the Gospel One Act at a Time
- Gather, Witness and Invite
- Prayer to Receive the Spiritual Gifts of The Holy Spirit
- The Language of Evangelization
- Key Factors for Parish Growth According to Rich Birch
- How to defeat Satan?
- Bringing Love, Hope and Healing Through the Gospel
- Love: Our Fundamental Vocation
- Touched by the Master
- A Man, a Dog, and the Ultimate Love
- The essence of evangelization: Loving God and our neighbours
- Loving Our Enemies and Reconciling with Others
- A Powerful Prayer for Healing: You Are The LORD Who Heals Me
- Living a Life of Love: Mother Teresa’s Legacy
- Living a Life of Love: Lessons from the New Testament
- In The Shadows Of Darkness, A Powerful Force Is At Work
- 19 Pastoral Orientations for Parish Renewal and Growth
- The Missionary Renewal of Catechesis
- Characteristics of missionary parishes
- Powerful healing prayer attributed to St. Padre Pio
- We are called to share our faith with others
- Should we seek to grow the Church?
- Find a Need and Fill It – Revealing God’s Heart in the Community
- 15 Habits to Evangelize on a Daily Basis
- The Church’s Mission
- Three Barriers to Building An Invitational Culture In Your Parish
- The Relational Evangelizer
- Doing Church at Home
- The Blind Girl
- A Group of Frogs
- The Elephant Rope
- A Shared Faith is a Growing Faith
- In The Shoes Of The Unchurched
- Parish Evangelizing Cells
- Six Unique Features of Missional Parishes
- Steps Towards Becoming A Missional Parish
- What Is Evangelization, And How Should It Be Carried Out?
- Discussion And Self-Assessment Questions For Parish Evangelization
- A Missional Church Is A Church That Prays
- The Jesus Prayer: A Method To Pray At All Times
- What can help children raised Catholic continue practicing the faith as adults?
- An Example of a Missionary Parish: Phoenix First Assembly of God
- Satan’s Tactics
- Learning to Be a Missionary
- When we cry out to God, he answers
- Presence and Proclamation
- Saving those who are lost
- Saint-Nazaire Parish: The story of a missionary transformation
- Small Groups and Evangelization
- Evangelizing By Inviting People To Receive Jesus As Lord And Saviour
- You Will Receive Power…
- Have You Heard About the Law of Three Hearings and Seven Touches?
- Three Habits of a Fruitful Christian Life
