Posted on March 27, 2025
Catechism Meditation:
All the ordained ministers of the Latin Church, with the exception of permanent deacons, are normally chosen from among men of faith who live a celibate life and who intend to remain celibate “for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.” Called to consecrate themselves with undivided heart to the Lord and to “the affairs of the Lord,” they give themselves entirely to God and to men. Celibacy is a sign of this new life to the service of which the Church’s minister is consecrated; accepted with a joyous heart celibacy radiantly proclaims the Reign of God. ―No. 1579
REFLECTION. Our Lord presented celibacy as a legitimate lifestyle not only by His very life, since He never married, but also in His teaching. When our Lord emphasized that marriage was a covenant between husband and wife and thereby prohibited divorce and re-marriage (cf. Mt 19:3-12), He concluded, “Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it.”
It is true that in the early Church, some of the Apostles and priests were married. But very early on, the Church was keenly aware of the wisdom of this discipline of priestly celibacy. This discipline was formally instituted in the early 300’s, but recent evidence suggests that it may actually be of Apostolic origin. St. Paul writes clearly in favor of it in 1 Corinthians 7:7,38, saying: “Indeed, I wish everyone to be as I am, but each has a particular gift from God, one of one kind and one of another… . So then, the one who marries his virgin does well; the one who does not marry her will do better.” Note that St. Paul refers to celibacy here as a “gift”!
In her article, Why Priests Still Shouldn’t Get Married, Jenna Drummond says… “Priests have the sacred duty of acting in Persona Christi, something nobody else in the world can do. This means that priests share a very sacred bond with God that is solidified through Holy Orders. By remaining chaste, priests consecrate themselves to Christ, who was married only to the Church. By abstaining from commitments to earthly families, priests can devote their entire lives and attention to the Church’s betterment and development. As highlighted in Matthew 22:23-30, nobody will be married in heaven; when priests remain celibate and unmarried, they more closely outline what our final state will be.”
PRAYER. Dear Lord, we ask for Your assistance in helping our priests grow in personal holiness. May they live a life that reflects Your love and purity. Strengthen them to resist temptation and to remain true to their vows and calling. Grant them the grace to embody the teachings of Christ and to inspire others through their example of holy living.
Timeless Wisdom Quote:
“I could draw a curve of my own life … my attitude toward celibacy would be seen always in direct relationship to my personal love of Christ. Once our passions cease to burn for Him, they begin to burn toward creatures. Celibacy is not the absence of passion; it is rather the intensity of a passion.” ― Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
Featured Video:
Should Priests Get Married? (5:52)
