Studia Pastoralne
Rocznik Wydziału Teologicznego UŚ

THE PRESBYTERIAT IN SERVICE OF A COMMUNION IN LIGHT OF THE POST-COUNCIL TEACHINGS OF THE CHURCH.
Summary
Contemporary ecclesiology postulates: „the Church as communion might be more clearly understood and concretely incorporated into life” (The Final Report of the Extraordinary Synod). This idea should pervade all actions of presbyters and influence a new style of priesthood. This is confirmed both by post-council teaching of the Church and the teaching of the Church in Poland. It was particularly developed in a post-synodal exhortation Pastores Dabo Vobis (1992) in which John Paul II emphasised that „the ecclesiology of communion becomes decisive for understanding the identity of the priest, his essential dignity, and his vocation and mission”. Other documents of Magisterium Ecclesiae followed this direction. Three documents of the Congregation for the Clergy deserve special attention: Directory on the Ministry and Life of Priests (1994), a letter The Priest and the Third Christian Millennium, Teacher of the Word, Minister of the Sacraments and Leader of the Community (1999) and an instruction The Priest, Pastor and Leader of the Parish Community (2002). Among Polish documents there are two written by the Second Polish Plenary Synod that deserve special attention: Needs and Tasks of a New Evangelisation at the Break of the Second and the Third Christian Millennium and Priesthood and Consecrated Life as Community of Life and Ministry with Christ. The documents emphasise that a priest should always remember that he „sanctifies himself by his care for a community which had been entrusted to him. This care should be manifested in being with a community and in a community”. Therefore the synod suggests that „in nominating parish priests one should take into account not so much and not only seniority and achievements but practical pastoral skills, especially the ability of team-work and a social sensitivity”.

CARE OF PERMANENT INTELLECTUAL FORMATION OF YOUNG PRESBYTERS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE NEW EVANGELIZATION
Summary
Evangelization is a challenge for the whole Church. In this work priests participate in a special way. Bishops and presbyters by the sacrament of Holy Orders are capable and obliged to preach crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He possesses words of life which are answers to our existential questions. Young presbyters taking responsibility for church communities have to continue their formation through permanent formation. It should deepen theological and philosophical knowledge. Thanks to that young priests are able to transfer God teaching to contemporary men.

THE ACTIVITY OF THE LVIV CIRCLE OF PRIESTS-PREFECTS IN THE PERIOD OF IIND REPUBLIC OF POLAND. „CATECHETICAL AND EDUCATIONAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE” 1919–1939
Summary
Priests-Prefects’Association operated in Poland in the years 1919–1939. Their members were priests who were teaching religious education and did the pastoral work in the school environment. Articles presented in Catechetical and Educational Monthly Magazine show the work of priests in the Association. The aim of the activity of the Association was to introduce the idea of the catholic upbringing and to exchange experiences. The Lviv Circle of Priests-Prefects was one of the biggest in the country and the work of the priests was a guiding light for the others. The priests met on weekly meetings where they read their papers out. The main issue of them was their pastoral work at school. In the Circle there were three sections. Their members in detail discussed issues concerning state primary and secondary schools and Marian Sodalities.

THE PATRIOTIC CATHOLIC CLERGY – HISTORICAL AND PASTORAL FACTORS
Summary
The article shows various expressions of patriotism and its relationship to nationalism in historical terms. There are two non-competing definitions of patriotism issued in Polish public discourse. The first one presupposes accompanying and even participation in military resistance against an outside enemy, the second consist in organic work – that is in grass-root activities. The Polish Catholic Clergy actively participated in both national uprisings and in organic work. Nowadays the Polish Catholic Clergy plays a role of a memory organizer within a framework of unifying Europe and its tendency to forget or even blot out its history.

THE PERSON OF PRESBYTER IN THE TEACHING OF JOHN PAUL II ON THE BASIS OF HIS HOMILIES DELIVERED DURING THE HOLY ORDINATION OF THE PRESBYTERATE
The article presents the analysis of the contents of John Paul II's homilies which relate to the issues concerning the identity of the presbyter. Following the Pope's thought one can notice the emphasis of the fact that the presbyter participates in the mission of Christ Himself. The participation in the mission consists in fulfilling His perfect sacrifice, celebrating all the sacraments and preaching the Gospel. The presbyter holds the ministry in the person of Christ - in persona Christi - meaning it is done by God Himself. This participation in Christ's mission is guaranteed by the laying on of hands, in which way the first disciples of the Master appointed their helpers and successors. Thus, the identity of the presbyter is shaped by a strong bond with God and His salvation. To fulfill the salvation the presbyter must efface himself and let Jesus be the master of his gestures, words and deeds. Life in such a close relationship with Christ is a great mystery of God's plan who entrusts Himself to weak and sinful people. Such reality is a great gift for anyone who, thanks to the works of the priest, can directly experience intimacy with God and His saving acts. It is also a gift for the presbyter himself who, despite his fragility, is blessed with a special friendship with Jesus Christ. The one chosen to priesthood is marked with a lasting seal of priestly ordination meaning that he becomes God's beloved servant forever, regardless of his current spiritual condition. Such a lifelong honor and commitment may at the same time fill the presbyter with fear because of his own littleness and imperfection. Nevertheless, the presbyter, trusting the efficacy of the words from the ordination ritual "And I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ" (cf. Phlp 1,6) can fulfill the ministry, devoting himself to Christ with trust.