The Spirituality of a Diocesan Priest

A diocesan priest has often been considered inferior to a reli­- gious priest. The Second Vatican Council neglected the dioc-­ esan priest to a large extent. In this article the author pays atten-­ tion first to those means that are more characteristic or more appropriate to the specific spirituality of a diocesan priest, and then takes up some common spiritual means to holiness which have a particular application to diocesan priests. Finally, the au­ thor mentions certain aspects of Indian spirituality that would help diocesan priests in India to be more inculturated. The diocesan priest is truly called to the challenging, even heroic, task of bridging the two poles of the sacred and the secular, of prayer and work, grace and effort. He resolves this polarity by becoming a con­- templative in action, by surrendering himself to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and at the same time spending himself in selfless pastoral service of the people entrusted to him. His is a secular spirituality that does not keep the two poles juxtaposed in a happy balance, but that rather brings about a total copenetration of the two poles, so that prayer and action be­ come but two aspects of the same total dedication and service. He does this by configuring himself to Christ who also united together the two poles of the sacred and the secular, the divine and the human