What does it mean for a baptized person to be a priest, prophet, and king?

Saint John Paul II recalled in 1988, in his apostolic exhortation, Christifideles Laici, that the participation of the baptized “in the threefold mission of Christ as Priest, Prophet and King finds its source in the anointing of Baptism, its further development in Confirmation and its realization and dynamic sustenance in the Holy Eucharist.” (No.14). By baptism, each baptized person becomes a priest, prophet and king. What does this mean? And how can we exercise these three functions in our daily lives? Let's discover these answers from the perspective of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. At the end of this reading, we invite you to discover other great questions about christian life.

Every baptized person is a priest

What does “being a priest through baptism” mean?

The office of priest for a baptized person consists of offering a sacrifice pleasing to God throughout one’s life, in particular by making the profane world sacred, on the one hand through participation in all activities (professional, associations, family, etc.) in the Spirit of God, and on the other hand through the liturgy of the Church, especially the Eucharist. Therefore, any act of a baptized person becomes a spiritual offering to God.

The Word of God evokes the holy and royal priesthood, in verse 5 of chapter 2 of the first letter of Saint Peter the Apostle: “You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5).

Number 941 of the Catechism adds: “Lay people share in Christ's priesthood: ever more united with him, they exhibit the grace of Baptism and Confirmation in all dimensions of their personal family, social and ecclesial lives, and so fulfill the call to holiness addressed to all the baptized.” (No. 941).

The Second Vatican Council adds that: “For all their works, prayers and apostolic endeavors, their ordinary married and family life, their daily occupations, their physical and mental relaxation, if carried out in the Spirit, and even the hardships of life, if patiently borne—all these become “spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”. Together with the offering of the Lord's body, they are most fittingly offered in the celebration of the Eucharist. Thus, as those everywhere who adore in holy activity, the laity consecrate the world itself to God.” (Lumen Gentium No. 34)

How can I be a priest in my life?

Here are some examples of how any baptized person can exercise their office as a priest in daily life:

- Carry out activities (professional, associations, family, etc.) as an offering pleasing to God

- Develop a life of prayer and union with Christ

- Participate every Sunday in the Eucharist

- Participate in other sacraments, such as reconciliation

- Unite and/or participate in the prayer of the Church (the Liturgy of the Hours)

Every baptized person is a prophet

What does “being a prophet through baptism” mean?

Being a prophet for a baptized person means listening to and hearing the Word of God to announce it, by words or deeds. Commitment, testimony, speaking and acting to change things, or denouncing evil, are important elements of what it means to be a priest.

Numbers 904 and 905 highlight the participation of the laity in the prophetic office of Christ: Number 905 emphasizes: “Lay people also fulfill their prophetic mission by evangelization, “that is, the proclamation of Christ by word and the testimony of life.” For lay people, “this evangelization... acquires a specific property and peculiar efficacy because it is accomplished in the ordinary circumstances of the world.” This witness of life, however, is not the sole element in the apostolate; the true apostle is on the lookout for occasions of announcing Christ by word, either to unbelievers... or to the faithful.” (No. 905).

In addition, number 942 highlights: “By virtue of their prophetic mission, lay people “are called... to be witnesses to Christ in all circumstances and at the very heart of the community of mankind” (No. 942)

In addition, in Christifideles Laici, Saint John Paul II adds: “Through their participation in the prophetic mission of Christ, “who proclaimed the kingdom of his Father by the testimony of his life and by the power of his world,” the lay faithful are given the ability and responsibility to accept the gospel in faith and to proclaim it in word and deed, without hesitating to courageously identify and denounce evil... They are also called to allow the newness and the power of the gospel to shine out everyday in their family and social life...” (No.14)

How can I be a prophet in my life?

Here are some examples of how any baptized person can exercise their office as a prophet in daily life:

- Commit and witness

- Speaking and acting to change things

- Proclaim the Gospel in your community

- Performing catechesis

Every baptized person is a king

What does “being a king through baptism” mean?

Service is the royal office of every baptized person, following the example of Christ the Servant, who washed the feet of his disciples, and who, during his public ministry, multiplied acts of compassion towards the sick and fishermen.

 In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, participation in the royal office of Christ is discussed in numbers 908 to 913. For example, it is said that being a king can mean “to cooperate with their pastors in the service of the ecclesial community (...), exercising different kinds of ministries” (No. 910), but also in “cooperate in the exercise of this power [of governance] in accord with the norm of law.” And so the Church provides for their presence at particular councils, diocesan synods, pastoral councils; the exercise of the pastoral care of a parish, collaboration in finance committees, and participation in ecclesiastical tribunals, etc.” (No. 911).

Number 943 says: “By virtue of their kingly mission, lay people have the power to uproot the rule of sin within themselves and in the world, by their self-denial and holiness of life ” (No. 943).

In addition, Saint John Paul II, in his apostolic exhortation, Christifideles Laici, on the vocation and mission of the laity in the Church and in the world, recalls the meaning of exercising the royal office: “Because the lay faithful belong to Christ, Lord and King of the Universe, they share in his kingly mission and are called by him to spread that Kingdom in history. They exercise their kingship as Christians, above all in the spiritual combat in which they seek to overcome in themselves the kingdom of sin (see Romans 6:12), and then to make a gift of themselves so as to serve, in justice and in charity, Jesus who is himself present in all his brothers and sisters, above all in the very least (see Mattew 25:40).” (No.14)

How can I be a king in my life?

Here are some examples of how any baptized person can exercise their office as a king in daily life:

- “Governing your family”

- Serve any person (isolated, sick, who needs listening, etc.)

- Serving the Church by engaging in a service (catechesis, funeral, in a Council, etc.) or in your Diocese

- Volunteering 

Let us pray to be faithful to our baptism with Hozana

Let us pray to be faithful to our baptism with Hozana, especially through the exercise of our office as prophets, which consists of evangelizing and testifying.

Hozana offers many communities to develop your action as a prophet. Hozana offers different communities to continue your pilgrimage to holiness, such as daily prayers and readings of the gospel of the day and communal retreats. By developing your office as a priest, you can then better exercise your duties as a prophet and king.