What do Priests Do?

Teach: Priests instruct others about the faith.

Shepherd: Priests guide, unite, and encourage their parishioners.

Sanctify: Priests administer the sacraments and encourage holiness.

Individual priests have a very wide variety of tasks within the Church. There are many specialized ministries such as being a chaplain, working at the diocesan offices, or teaching in a seminary. But the majority of priests serve in parishes. Their duties include:

• Celebrate Mass and preach the Gospel
• Lead a parish of Catholic Christians
• Bring new members into the Church through Baptism
• Hear Confessions and provide spiritual direction
• Help teens and young adults come to know Christ
• Prepare couples for marriage and counsel married couples
• Teach people how to pray
• Feed the poor, visit prisons, and advocate for justice
• Counsel people going through difficult times
• Visit the sick in hospitals and anoint them for healing
• Perform funerals and bury the dead
• Manage the temporal affairs of the parish
• Pray daily for the People of God