1. Religious Services and Rituals:
- Conducted religious ceremonies, including mass, baptisms, marriages, and funerals.
- Preached sermons, delivering religious teachings and moral guidance.
- Administered sacraments such as Holy Communion and Confession.
2. Spiritual Guidance and Counseling:
- Provided spiritual counseling and advice to parishioners.
- Acted as confessors, listening to and offering absolution for sins.
- Offered guidance on moral and ethical matters.
3. Education:
- Established and managed parish schools, providing basic education in reading, writing, and religious studies.
- Educated young boys in preparation for their potential careers as priests.
4. Charitable Work and Almsgiving:
- Collected alms and donations from parishioners for the poor and needy.
- Distributed charitable funds and managed local charities.
- Provided assistance to those in need, including the sick, widows, and orphans.
5. Community Leadership:
- Served as influential figures within their communities.
- Facilitated resolution of disputes and conflicts within the parish.
- Represented the interests of the parish to local authorities.
6. Overseeing Church Finances:
- Managed church funds and financial records.
- Collected tithes and other offerings from parishioners.
- Allocated church resources for maintenance and charitable activities.
7. Church Administration and Records:
- Kept records of baptisms, marriages, deaths, and other vital events within the parish.
- Maintained church property, including buildings and land.
8. Pilgrimages and Holy Relics:
- Organized and led pilgrimages to holy sites or shrines.
- Safeguarded and venerated holy relics within their churches.
It's important to note that the specific roles of priests could vary depending on the individual priest, the local customs and traditions, and the size and geography of the parish they served.