own things individually, but as a group. Chastity means that they refrain from sexual activity and do not marry. Obedience means that they do what their supervisors ask of them. For religious order priests their vocation lies with the community and they usually specialize in education, tending to the sick, and the homeless. A diocesan priest belongs to a body of priests of a local diocese with a state or country and serves in his diocese under a bishop. Diocesan priests do not make any vows. They freely make promises of celibacy and obedience. They also receive personal salaries that enable them to pay for their expenses such as charities, vacations, clothing, and a car. He is sometimes called a secular priest. A diocesan priest can be a teacher, chaplain in hospitals, prisons, and campus ministry. Most diocesan priests are parish priests. It takes four years after college to become a diocesan priest.Priests celebrate Mass on Sundays and during the week. They listen to confessions, anoint the sick, baptize, and perform funerals. They preach the Word of God at mass and in the classroom. They listen to people and try to promote charity and justice. There is no one special thing that a priest does. Their day is so varied and complex. Prayer plays a central role in the life of a priest. Prayer is communication with the Lord whom we love. Those priests that are truly happy are those that are faithful to prayer. Most priests spend two hours a day in prayer. Prayer is not easy. Sometimes priests do no feel like praying but because of their devotion to God they try to pray no matter how they feel. Priests also do get time off. They have approximately the same amount of leisure time as adults and they are free to do whatever they wish as long as it is moral, legal, and reasonable. Diocesan priests go on an annual retreat alone or with fellow priests to get in touch with the Lord, and experience spiritual renewal. Also...
