Qualities of a good priest

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How should one prepare himself so that - if God really calls - he will be prepared to become a good priest?

How can one form his soul gradually so as to become a pious, virtuous, affectionate, generous, inspiring, amiable, intelligent priest?

How can one make himself more sacrificial and generous?

I want to become a good priest at whatever cost … I really hope one day my wish comes true (although I am a sinner)! I know it’s weird for a 23-year-old to think like that, but I really wish to become a GOOD priest even if that’s against my worldly desires or others’ expectations … Why? Because I believe in Christ and He has come to our world naked … I want to give my entire self to Him and live only to love Him!
 
From talking to various people…I think psychic abilities are a must!

More seriously, the priests I have spoken to would say prayer, prayer, and more prayer.
 
I don’t have much to offer for advice, really, but the things that I’ve noticed in those which I think are the best priests are gentleness, and a devotion to Our Lady.
I agree with prayer, though 🙂
 
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On the spiritual side, the Litany of Humility

On the practical side, take at least a year of college level courses on business management as well as a course on the HR law for your state.
 
My opinion is that the first, foremost and best thing you can do is make sure you yourself are keeping God’s commandments and setting a good example.
It doesn’t mean that you will never have a bad day, lose your temper, etc. I have seen priests do this and some of them will even admit it from the pulpit.

But so many priests fall into sins that didn’t just come up suddenly like a loss of temper. The priests who get too attached to a lady in their parish or develop problems with addictions - that didn’t just happen all of a sudden in 24 hours, rather it was something that started small and built up over a period of time. When these priests fall, it really takes a toll on their parish, and if the story goes public in the press as it does with criminal acts or lawsuits, it hurts the whole parish.

Beyond that, I’d say just try to be patient and kind with everybody as much as you can.
If you can do those two things, you will be an excellent priest in my opinion.
 
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One important trait in a priest, quite aside from everything else you’ve been adviced in this thread, is compassion. A love for your frail fellow humans balanced by your scriptual learning that will turn into wisdom and humility. Not something you may have right away day one, but something always to strive for.

I’m laity (even though as Lutheran we have female & married clergy) but I saw the importance of this attitude working as a judge for three years way back. You too will hold people’s future and wellbeing in your hand.
 
Militant. Be a militant priest. Do not allow us to get lazy or become holiday Catholics. Call us out on our behaviors. You may lose members, but you will become more merciful in God’s heart.
 
The number one quality I think is mercy. I am extremely grateful to Our Lord for the good merciful priests I’ve encountered, however, because of their humanity, stress, fatigue even good, holy priests can lose their patience. Going to confession is something that takes tremendous courage and deliberation. I had a friend who finally went after years and years of being afraid of going, and she got very badly yelled at which caused her to not go back again. It’s important to remember that even a very sinful soul could be a very sensitive soul who may already be broken by remorse and guilt. As a priest, you will be the way through which even the worst of sinners can come to the Lord hoping to receive mercy. If you want to be a good priest, always treat the people who come to you in the confessional, no matter how messed up their sins are, with love, patience, and mercy.
 
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Cultivate intimate spiritual friendships – and don’t wait. Find people who have mature qualities you admire, and become friends with them. It is very, very important for priests to be emotionally and spiritually mature; since they don’t have spouses (in the Roman church), they can only get this “sharpening” from very close friends who will hold them accountable. Or, you know, the direct intervention of God. But he seems to like to make us work for it. 🙂

If you’re growing as a mature individual, all the other personal and relating stuff falls into place over time. If you’re not on a path to maturity, poking at individual actions or responses is like putting a bandaid on a gunshot wound. It’s not going to do any good.

Make friends of good, god-fearing, mature people – who, at 23, will likely be much older than you – and be transparent with them. Your attention in this regard will be an enormous blessing to every person you serve throughout your life.
 
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