• Priests offer care and support for emotional and spiritual needs.rosary and prayer-book image by Maria Brzostowska from Fotolia.com
  
  A priest's duties primarily are to keep the emotional and spiritual needs of fellow humankind around him at the forefront of his mind, ever ready to offer prayer, condolence, support and encouragement to those in need. A priest needs to be ready to work at any hour--day or night, depending on the circumstance. The priest draws the strength to do so from the tenets of his faith along with any training the priest may have had in carrying out ministerial work. A priest may perform these duties as a part of employment through a local church or independently on a volunteer basis.
  
  

Marriages

• Individuals wishing to have more than just a legal marriage call upon priests to perform a religious ceremony. There are several formats and each denomination may wish to use a different format. Longer ceremonies include more reading of scriptures, and shorter marriage ceremonies may include none at all. The priest will discuss with the wedding parties the details of the ceremony in terms of what the bride and groom want included and what is not to be included. The priest must witness the two parties verbally pledge to the lifelong commitment to one another within each state's laws for the marriage to be valid along with filling out the proper paperwork.
  
  

Funerals

• Priests pray and speak at funerals. These, like marriages, can follow different formats. The priest may or may not be consulted on what details should be included. At times, the priest may be told what type of service to perform, based upon the last wishes of the deceased. Other times, a priest may be in an unexpected situation when an impromptu funeral may be needed, such as with burials at sea or during the aftermath of a natural catastrophe. Priests will also offer comfort from scriptures to the surviving family and friends of the deceased as directed, needed and or desired, based on the situation.
  
  

Sacraments

• Priests traditionally offer sacramental items such as bread wafers and juice or wine either as the real presence or as the symbol of the body and blood of Jesus Christ to those seeking to take part in communion ceremonies. Priests offer prayers and benedictions of encouragements at baptisms, dedications and during times of those offering confession of sins. Priests will also offer absolution of sins to those who sincerely seek it, regardless of denomination. It is the goal of a priest to make the love of the faith he holds dear real to those around him.