What is a Religious Priest?

A religious priest lives a particular type of life. He takes three vows: of Poverty, Chastity and of Obedience.

Poverty: Means living a life of simplicity. A religious priest does not call anything his own. He shares all he has with his brother- priests and depends on them for the things he needs.

Chastity: Means to love all people equally. A priest does not get married so that he can show God's love to all by serving them.

Obedience: Means listening to God. A priest listens to God speaking to him through superiors, companions, friends, etc. God also speaks through the condition of the poor abandoned, the aged etc. In every situation the priest is called to give a response in obedience to God.

A religious priest also lives a community life. He stays together with his brother-priests. They pray together, work together, and support one another like the apostles in the early Church.

A religious priest belongs to an Order or a Congregation. Each Order has a different way of living which is called their charism. Depending on the Order/Congregation they belong to, different priests are involved in different types of work. Salesians do most of their work with youth. Jesuits run educational institutions in cities, have mission stations in rural areas and also take up social issues.

Diocesan/Secular priests work in parishes. They are priests but not religious. They do not live community lives as religious priests do. They are allowed to keep their own money. The vows of Chastity and Obedience apply to them as well. They come directly under the Bishop of the place. He appoints and transfers them.

Return to Index