The joy of priestly ordination for a Passionist Missionary is deeply rooted in the charism of St. Paul of the Cross: to live and preach the Passion of Jesus Christ as the greatest sign of God's love. This joy is not merely a transient emotional high, but a spiritual commitment to becoming a "living holocaust," completely consumed by love for God and service to humanity.
Key Dimensions of Passionist Ordination Joy:
- Deepening the Relationship with God: Ordination represents the culmination of a discernment process where a candidate experiences the unconditional love of Jesus Christ personally. This allows the new priest to serve the "crucified of today"—the poor, suffering, and marginalized—with a heart that mirrors that of Jesus.
- A "Yes" to a Lifelong Mission: It is seen as a joyous affirmation of a lifelong "yes," bringing the hope of the Cross and Resurrection to a suffering world.
- Living the "Memoria Passionis": The joy stems from carrying out the mission to keep alive the memory of Christ’s suffering love, which was the charism of St. Paul of the Cross, and sharing this love through the sacraments and preaching.
- Community Support: The ordination is celebrated within a supportive, international, and loving community of Passionist priests and brothers.
- Joy in Service: The joy is found in the ability to bring the mercy of God to people, acting as witnesses to God's presence in a broken world.
For a Passionist, ordination is the beginning of a life "immersed in the love of God revealed in a special way through the incarnation of the Word and through the Passion".
