Celebration of Priestly Ministry: Challenge, Renewal, and Joy in the Catholic Priesthood

by Walter Cardinal Kasper

Overview

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his ordination, Cardinal Kasper reflects on the nature and the future of the Catholic priesthood. Topics include "servants of joy;" krisis and kairos; personal friendship with Christ; the common priesthood of all Christians; Mary—model of discipleship; apostolic mission; Jesus calls his first disciples; the church’s faith; apostolic succession; spirituality; celibacy; pastoral ministry; witnesses to the gospel; reconciliation and mercy; Memoria passionis; Eucharist; looking ahead in hope.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780824524678
Publisher:	Crossroad Publishing Company
Publication date:	06/25/2007
Product dimensions:	5.38(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.74(d)

Table of Contents

Author's Note     11
Translator's Note     13
Priestly Life: Krisis and Kairos     15
A New Pastoral Situation     15
Looking Back in Gratitude     20
Docta Spes-Looking Ahead in Hope     28
Priestly Existence-Christian Existence     33
Personal Friendship with Christ     33
The Christological Reinterpretation of the Priesthood     35
The Common Priesthood of All Christians     41
Mary-Model and Archetype of Discipleship     48
The Priest in His Apostolic Mission     53
Jesus Calls His First Disciples     53
On the Foundation of the Apostles     56
The Church's Faith: An Inheritance Received from the Apostles     63
Apostolic Succession as Apostolic Mission     67
Fellow Workers of the Apostles     72
The Priest as a Man of the Spirit     77
The Development of the Threefold Ministry     77
The Spiritual Character of the Priestly Ministry     81
Celibacy for the Kingdom of God     88
A Spiritual Lifestyle     92
Priestly Ministry as Pastoral Ministry     95
Jesus Christ-The Good Shepherd     95
"I Will Send You Shepherds"     98
Who Is a Good Shepherd?     105
The Priest as a Witness to the Gospel     108
Evangelization: The Identity of the Church     108
The Word of God-Light of Life and Light of the World     117
"Working for the Gospel as a Priest"     121
"You Will Be My Witnesses"     124
Minister of Reconciliation     127
Proclaiming God's Abundant Mercy     127
"Your Sins Are Forgiven"     134
Reconciliation: A Universal Charge     139
Eucharistic Existence     143
Jesus' Great Inheritance     143
Sacrament of Unity-Ministry of Unity     147
Memoria Passionis-Priest under the Sign of the Cross     152
The Eucharist-Center and Summit     157
Brief Excursus on Pastoral Restructuring     162
The Eschatological and Universal Cosmic Dimension     170
Conclusion: Servant of Your Joy     176
Indexes
Biblical Passages     180
Names     187