I have posted before on my love for and spiritual motherhood of priests. As mothers, we have a tremendous opportunity, responsibility, and power to pray and offer sacrifices for the sanctification of priests. Recently, I learned that Pope Benedict has declared that the Year of St. Paul will be followed by a Year of the Priest. This is indeed confirmation of the need for everyone to pray for our priests, bishops, and especially Pope Benedict XVI.
Pope declares year of the priest to inspire spiritual perfection
Mar-16-2009
By Carol Glatz
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI declared a year of the priest in an effort to encourage "spiritual perfection" in priests.The pope will open the special year with a vespers service at the Vatican June 19 -- the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the day for the sanctification of priests. He will close the celebrations during a World Meeting of Priests in St. Peter's Square June 19, 2010.
read the rest of the article here
One of my favorite prayers is St. Therese of Lisieux's Prayer for Priests. I pray it daily. Please consider adding it to your personal and/or family prayers, especially during the Year of the Priest! I am sure I will be adding more ideas in the future, since this prayer focus is so close to my mother's heart.
Jesus, Eternal High Priest, preserve Thy priests in the protection of Thy Most Holy Heart, where none can harm them. Preserve without blemish their consecrated hands, which touch daily Thy Holy Body.
Keep pure their lips, which are reddened from Thy Precious Blood.
Keep pure and holy their heart, which is sealed with the noble sign of Thy Glorious Priesthood. Let them grow in love and fidelity to Thee and protect them from the infection of the world.
Give them with the power of transubstantiation over bread and wine the power of transformation over hearts. Bless their work with bountiful fruit and give them some day the crown of eternal life. Amen.
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