Preacher of the Pontifical Household Father Raniero Cantalamessa writes in his Advent reflection for Pope Benedict XVI and members of the Roman Curia against the threat of "frenetic activism" and urges priests to build up an intense prayer life. Using the writings of Abbot Chautard as inspiration for his reflection, Fr Cantalamessa said that in order to understand how to follow Christ, one must journey down a path founded upon "a personal relationship that is full of trust and friendship with the person of Jesus," the Catholic News Agency reports.
Referring to Chautard's book, "The Soul of Every Apostolate," the papal preacher underscored the work was published just a few years before Vatican II, "in a period in which there was great enthusiasm for parish work." The book addressed "the heart of the problem, denouncing the danger of an empty activism."
Chautard wrote: "God wants Jesus to be life of our works." For this reason, in reflecting on the need for priests to be servers of Christ, Fr Cantalamessa remarked, "On the invisible passport of the priest where 'profession' is listed, one ought to read: servant of Jesus Christ'."
He concluded his reflection emphasising the importance of prayer in the life of the priest, as only with an intense prayer life can a priest be fully dedicated to his pastoral work.
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