When a Catholic man who has attained the transitional diaconate is being ordained to the presbyterate (priesthood) he makes resolutions and promises to the ordaining bishop. These resolutions and promises are not made once and then quickly forgotten, they remain throughout the years of a man’s priesthood. Like a good wine, they should improve with age. In the flower of his priestly youth, they may seem easy and filled with zeal. As the years progress, the priest burdened with age and the fatigue of ministry still clings to those resolutions and promises as a source of grace as he matures in holiness. (Note: Diocesan priests do not take “vows” as religious order priests do. A vow is made directly to God and a promise is made to a person, and while that is a canonical distinction, ultimately the objective is the same.)

The first question the bishop asks is:

Do you resolve, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to discharge without fail the office of Priesthood in the presbyteral rank, as a worthy fellow worker with the Order of Bishops in caring for the Lord’s flock?

In this first resolution the priest-candidate resolves to work as a priest, which may seem obvious, but it delineates his career. He does not belong to any other profession, but he will spend his life teaching, sanctifying, and governing by means of a specific office granted to him by the bishop for the sake of the People of God. To be avoided in this resolution is personal self-seeking, side jobs, and careerism.

The second question:

Do you resolve to exercise the ministry of the word worthily and wisely, preaching the Gospel and teaching the Catholic faith?

In this resolution, the priest-candidate resolves and recognizes that his priesthood is fundamentally based on preaching and teaching the Catholic faith. In order to do that, he must devote himself to a lifetime of studying the Sacred Scriptures and the tenets of the faith. While not made explicit, it is implicit, that the priest should not preach or teach his own personal opinions, but remain true to the Deposit of Faith.

The third question:

Do you resolve to celebrate faithfully and reverently, in accord with the Church’s tradition, the mysteries of Christ, especially the Sacrifice of the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, for the glory of God and the sanctification of the Christian people?

This resolution highlights the importance of the sacraments in the life of the diocesan priest who celebrates those sacraments primarily to give glory to God and subsequently to make his parishioners holy. The Mass and confession are the Catholic priest’s specialties, which means he needs to be available to offer them. Again, this resolution demands fidelity, reverence, and availability. The priest must follow the liturgical norms and rubrics of those sacraments and not change them to suit his own personal taste or flair.

The fourth question:

Do you resolve to implore with us God’s mercy upon the people entrusted to your care by observing the command to pray without ceasing?

This resolution makes clear that the priest is above all a man of prayer, a contemplative in action. The fruit of a priest’s prayer is for the salvation of souls entrusted to his care. Prayer has to be a daily priority and the negligence thereof will lead to the detriment of his priesthood.

The fifth question:

Do you resolve to be united more closely every day to Christ the High Priest, who offered himself for us to the Father as a pure Sacrifice, and with him to consecrate yourselves to God for the salvation of all?

This resolution recognizes that the priest’s life is a continuous sacrifice in sacramental union (through Holy Orders) to the sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary. The priest is daily immolated and must renounce his own will to embrace God’s will. The purpose of the immolation is not self-serving, but directed to the salvation of his parishioners through the priest’s various penances.

The sixth question:

Do you promise respect and obedience to me and my successors?

This is the first time in the Rite of Ordination that the word “promise” is used. It directs the priest-candidate to respect and obey his bishop in matters of faith, morals, diocesan policies, and assignments, etc. The promise of obedience cannot be ordered to anything that is immoral.

In case you’re wondering, the resolution to celibacy is made during the ordination to the diaconate as a lifetime resolution and it is not repeated at ordination to the presbyterate or to the episcopate.

As the priest matures with age and experience, he comes to recognize that these resolutions and promises are a framework for the preservation of his priesthood even, when at times, he feels he has failed to pray enough, or been distracted at Mass, or didn’t like a particular transfer. God always blesses the obedient priest and supplies the necessary graces throughout the priest’s life to maintain his resolutions and promises, making them ultimately bear the fruits of sanctity for himself and for his parishioners.