Pope Benedict XVI
announces the Year for Priests
Pope Benedict XVI encourages all to pray for priests,
the Church’s spiritual leaders and those who administer
the sacraments by declaring the “Year for Priests,”
which starts June 19.
The Holy Father
selected St. John Vianney as patron saint for the
special year themed, “Faithfulness of Christ,
Faithfulness of Priests.” St. John Vianney is honored by
the Church for his faithfulness to the priesthood and is
referred to as a “model to the parochial clergy.”
Catholic priests
celebrate Mass, hear confessions, visit the sick and
homebound, and bring all of us closer to Christ in the
sacraments of baptism, Holy Communion and
reconciliation. They also serve on college campuses,
hospitals and prisons bringing a message of hope and
forgiveness to all. They work in all aspects of outreach
including religious education, respect life, farm
worker, youth and family ministries.
During this
special year, please pray for the 270 priests working
and retired in the Diocese of Orlando who have given
their lives to the Church and the people of God. Please
also pray for an increase in vocations to the
priesthood. |
Prayer for Priests
Dear
Lord,
we pray that the Blessed Mother
wrap her mantle around your priests
and through her intercession
strengthen them for their ministry.
We pray that Mary will guide your priests
to follow her own words,
“Do whatever He tells you” (Jn 2:5).
May your priests have the heart of St.
Joseph,
Mary’s most chaste spouse.
May the Blessed Mother’s own pierced heart
inspire them to embrace
all who suffer at the foot of the cross.
May your priests be holy,
filled with the fire of your love
seeking nothing but your greater glory
and the salvation of souls.
Amen.
Saint John
Vianney, pray for us
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