June 04, 2026
To the faithful parishioners of St. James Cathedral,
This is the second article of a three-part series celebrating the ordination of Rev. Paul W. Zwolak to the priesthood for service in the Diocese of Brooklyn. (The first article is here.) The Catholic priesthood is fundamental to the Church’s mission, serving as the sacramental bridge between God and humanity. Through the ministerial priesthood, instituted by Christ at the Last Supper, priests act in persona Christi to administer the sacraments, offer celebrate Mass, and provide essential spiritual guidance. The profound importance of the Catholic priesthood can be fully appreciated by exploring the biblical foundations of the role, the sacramental life of the Church, and the priest’s pastoral duty as a shepherd to the faithful.
To understand the importance of the priesthood, we must first look to its biblical roots. In the Old Testament, the Levitical priesthood was established to offer sacrifices and act as a mediator between God and the Israelites. This foreshadowed the eternal priesthood of Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate High Priest and the perfect mediator. During the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the ministerial priesthood by commanding his Apostles, “Do this in memory of me”. Through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, this apostolic succession continues today, conferring a spiritual grace that empowers priests to carry out Christ’s saving mission.
At ordination, a man receives an indelible spiritual character, marking his soul forever. This means a priest acts not by his own human authority, but in persona Christi—in the person of Christ. Whether he is consecrating the Eucharist or absolving sins, it is Christ himself working through the priest. This allows all Catholics to encounter Jesus, providing a tangible, visible assurance of God’s invisible grace.
The source and summit of Catholic life is the celebration of the Eucharist, and it is the priest who acts as the instrument through which the bread and wine are consecrated into the Body and Blood of Christ. By offering the Mass, the priest makes the sacrifice of Calvary present on the altar in an unbloody manner. This act of worship and offering has infinite value for the Church and the world. Without the ministerial priesthood, the celebration of the Eucharist, and the subsequent spiritual nourishment of God’s holy people, would be impossible.
A priest is also the primary minister of God’s mercy through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The profound psychological and spiritual weight of sin is lifted when a priest, using the authority given to the Apostles by Christ (John 20:23), pronounces absolution. Additionally, priests administer the Anointing of the Sick and Baptism, shepherding the faithful from the beginning of their spiritual lives through to their final moments. Through these sacraments, a priest is the abiding presence of God’s healing, grace, and redemption.
Liturgical and sacramental duties are only two aspects of a priest’s life,; another aspect of the priesthood lies in the pastoral care priests provide to their communities. A parish priest functions as a spiritual father, guiding parishioners through the complexities, joys, and sorrows of human life. He is often present during life’s most vulnerable moments: counseling the troubled, comforting the grieving, preparing couples for marriage, and ministering to the dying. In a world that can often feel disconnected and secular, the priest provides moral guidance, theological instruction, and a living witness to the Gospel.
The priest is also a bridge-builder, connecting the eternal realities of God to the temporal realities of the human experience. By dedicating their lives to prayer, celibacy, and service, priests stand as visible witnesses of a reality beyond material gain. They teach the truths of the faith and intercede in their communities.
The importance of the Catholic priesthood cannot be overstated. It is far more than an administrative or leadership role within an organization; it is a vital, divinely instituted vocation essential to the very fabric of the Catholic Church. By bringing Christ to the people and the people to Christ, the priest acts as a living bridge between Heaven and Earth. Through their daily sacrifices, administration of the sacraments, and pastoral care, Catholic priests are the instruments through which Christ continues to heal, teach, and save souls in every age.
~Fr. Joseph R. Gibino