A letter to newly ordained priests
On May 31, Bishop James T. Ruggieri will ordain three priests for service in the Diocese of Portland. The priesthood is a gift to the entire Church. In the open letter that follows, a priest of the diocese offers encouragement and practical wisdom to his newly ordained brothers.
Dear Brothers,
Congratulations on your ordination to the priesthood of Jesus Christ! Nearly five years ago, I stood where you are now, fresh from seminary formation, eager to serve, and aware of the weight of the priestly vocation. The priesthood is a sacred calling that will stretch you, challenge you, and bring you joys beyond what you can now imagine. While I have certainly “not … attained perfect maturity,” to cite St. Paul (Phil 3:12), I humbly offer some words of encouragement to you, my friends and brother priests.
Your priestly ministry begins at a time of great challenge and great hope. The world is longing for truth, for mercy, for an encounter with Christ — and you have been called to be His hands, His voice, and His heart among His people. You will bring souls to God through the sacraments, preach the Gospel with your words and your life, and walk with people in their deepest joys and sorrows. The weight of this call may feel immense, but remember, you are never alone. Christ, who called you, sustains you. Your brother priests walk beside you. The prayers and support of the people of God strengthen you.
In these early days, embrace the gift of wonder. Offer each Mass with the attention, reverence, and devotion with which you offered your very first. Let the words of absolution in the confessional remind you of God’s infinite mercy — both for you and those coming to you. Be present to your parishioners, especially in their pain. And never neglect your own prayer life — before you can give Christ to others, you must remain rooted in Him. Live out the fruits of your daily Holy Hour.
As my seminary spiritual director reminded me in the days before ordination: “Remember that you are not Superman.” You will encounter challenges: moments of fatigue, misunderstanding, and even discouragement. When those trials do inevitably come, return to the source: the Eucharist, the Scriptures, the fraternity of your brother priests, the important relationships with your family and friends. Lean on our Blessed Mother, who walks with every priest as she did with her Son.
The priesthood is not about efficiency or results; it is about fidelity. There will be days when your homily falls a bit flat, when you feel unheard or ineffective, when you become frustrated by your human shortcomings and the limitations of others. But remember: the fruitfulness of your priestly ministry is not measured by human standards. Our task is to plant seeds and to serve as Christ did, trusting that God is working even when we may not see the fruits.
Do not be afraid to laugh and to rest. Ministry is serious, but that does not mean it must be melancholy. Let the relationships you build sustain you, always remembering that the first and most important relationship a priest has is with the One who called you and gave you this vocation. Make time for recreation, spiritual direction, frequent confession, and priestly fraternity, knowing that a weary priest cannot give what he does not have.
Finally, be patient — with yourself, with your parishioners, with the mysterious ways of God. Getting used to being called “Father” takes time, and this vocation is a lifelong unfolding, a daily surrender. The Lord has begun a good work in you, and He will bring it to fulfillment.
My brothers, know of my prayers for you. May your lives be a joyful participation in and a faithful witness to “the love of the heart of Jesus Christ,” as the saintly Curé of Ars put it.
