Priest "in persona Christi"

[I_thirst_4_YOU]

I heard it said once that a priest is in persona Christi, in the person of Christ. I get that and love the beauty and truth behind it.

I also heard once that he, the priest, is standing in the person of Christ at the altar offering offering himself back to the Father in the form of bread and wine for sacrifice. This sort of boggles my mind.

Any thoughts?

 

[coolduude]

Since the priest IS Jesus, he can do that.

Imagine Jesus standing on thet altar. HE is offering Himslef. Take the pristiag out of our head and replace it with Jesus. That’s what is happening.

 

[MarieVeronica]

I get the sense of Our Lords Presence, (in persona Christi)… from the priest, in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I know what you mean. It is a thrilling reality… and is the reason why we should have the most profound respect for our priests… and pray for them. By the Sacrament of Holy Orders, they carry a very unique, spiritual dignity.

Thanks for a great thread. God bless.

 

[InLight247]

In Mass and in the sacrament of reconciliation, no doubt the priest is in persona Christi. That is so beautiful.

However, we ought to keep in mind that a priest is actually a human being. Never see a priest as as God and cast any unreasonable expectation on him. Do pray for priests.

 

[Genesis315]

The Letter to the Hebrews explains beautifully how Christ is both Priest and Victim. This eternal and Heavenly realty is made present mysteriously at every Mass

 

[Genesis315]

In Mass and in the sacrament of reconciliation, no doubt the priest is in persona Christi. That is so beautiful.

However, we ought to keep in mind that a priest is actually a human being. Never see a priest as as God and cast any unreasonable expectation on him. Do pray for priests.

Right–it is comforting to know that the sacraments and the powers to administer them are gifts, not something earned, and are therefore not based on the priest’s or our merits.

 

[BarbaraTherese]

In Mass and in the sacrament of reconciliation, no doubt the priest is in persona Christi. That is so beautiful.

However, we ought to keep in mind that a priest is actually a human being. Never see a priest as as God and cast any unreasonable expectation on him. Do pray for priests.

Amen to all that!