Last night I was reading from a magazine called “The Catholic World Report,” which contains quotes from Pope Benedict XVI on the importance of the sacraments. The title of the article is called:
“For priests, sacramental ministry comes first”
"
Priests should make the administration of the sacraments their top pastoral priority, the Pontiff told his audience on May 5. He said that a special emphasis on sacramental ministry is necessary because ‘various schools of thought’ have neglected the sacraments, while emphasizing the duty of priests as preachers and teachers.
"The proclamation of the Gospel is important, the Pope said,
but the primary purpose of the priestly ministry is to deliver the sacraments, providing the faithful with the means of sanctification.
" ‘Sanctifying a person means putting that person in contact with God,’ the Pope reminded his audience. **The priesthood was instituted for sacramental ministry, and no other function is equally important. ** …
“In a message addressed directly to priests, the Pope called upon priests to ‘practice liturgy and worship with joy and love,’ and to** ‘return to the confessional.’ **”
(emphasis mine)
Continuing prayers that the Lord will provide spiritualunity with a priest to administer the Sacrament of the Sick and Confession …