Cardinal You Heung-sik urges priests, deacons, and seminarians to embrace friendship with Christ and serve with joy, love, and fidelity.
Newsroom (02/04/2026 Gaudium Press ) Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, Prefect of the Dicastery for Clergy, has expressed heartfelt gratitude to priests, deacons, and seminarians worldwide, calling them “friends of the Lord” and urging them to renew their dedication to Christ as the Church celebrates Holy Thursday.
In a letter also signed by Archbishop Carlo Roberto Maria Redaelli, Secretary of the Dicastery, Cardinal You thanked ministers across the globe for their daily fidelity and the often-hidden sacrifices they make in service of God’s people. “Thank you for your ‘yes,’ renewed each day, even amid hardships, loneliness, and misunderstandings,” he wrote, recognizing that through their ministry, “Christ continues to draw near to His people, to heal, to forgive, and to nourish them.”
A Worldwide Message of Encouragement
Holy Thursday—commemorating both the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood—served as the moment for the Vatican to reach out to clergy across continents. Cardinal You wrote that he and his collaborators wished “to reach all of you, in every part of the world, with a thought of profound gratitude, fraternal affection, and sincere encouragement.”
The Prefect reflected on Christ’s act of washing the disciples’ feet and His gift of self in the Eucharist, pointing to these as the origins and constant source of the priestly vocation. “From this love, our vocation is born,” he reminded, “and to this love we are continually called to conform our entire life.”
‘The Priest Is a Friend of the Lord’
Central to his reflection was the spiritual closeness between priests and Christ. Quoting words from Pope Leo XIV during the Holy Year of Hope, Cardinal You emphasized that “the priest is a friend of the Lord,” living in personal, trusting relationship with Him through Scripture, sacramental life, and prayer. This friendship, he explained, is the foundation of ordained ministry.
He cautioned that priesthood must never be reduced to a mere function, but rather cherished as a sacred gift. “We are not defined by what we do,” he wrote, “but by the infinite love with which Christ loves us.”
The Eucharist: Source of Strength and Service
Turning to the sacrificial dimension of ministry, Cardinal You described true sacrifice not as mere renunciation, but as gift — “offering one’s life so that it may be wholly oriented to the love of God and of our brothers and sisters.”
He affirmed that the Eucharist remains “the source and summit of our existence,” where priests are daily conformed to Christ at the altar and receive the strength to forgive, console, and accompany the faithful. This sacramental encounter, he noted, empowers priests to serve others with humility and compassion.
Hope Amid Challenges
In a world often marked by difficulty and discouragement, Cardinal You reminded priests not to lose heart. “Even when the soil seems barren and the seed struggles to grow, the Lord continues to act,” he reassured. “He has chosen us, He has consecrated us, and He never abandons us.”
Calling priests to be “men of communion,” the Cardinal urged them to embody a Church that is both synodal and missionary, marked by joyful witness to the Gospel—even when sacrifice is required.
Gratitude for Deacons and Seminarians
Cardinal You extended his appreciation to permanent deacons, whose “generous and discreet service makes visible the charity of Christ the Servant.” He stressed that their ministry “is precious and necessary for the life of the Church, today more than ever.”
Addressing seminarians preparing for ordination, the Prefect offered reassurance and encouragement. “Do not be afraid,” he wrote, “to give your entire life to the Lord.” He invited them to safeguard the joy of their calling and allow themselves to be continually formed by God’s love, reminding them that the Church deeply needs their authenticity and enthusiasm.
Entrusting All to the Blessed Mother
Cardinal You and Archbishop Redaelli concluded by entrusting priests, deacons, and seminarians to the Blessed Virgin Mary, praying that the Holy Triduum might strengthen their union with Christ and renew their joy in ministry.
“Be priests with open hearts, capable of closeness, listening, and compassion,” the Prefect wrote—a message of hope, gratitude, and friendship for those who dedicate their lives to serving the Lord and His people.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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