WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE SANCTIFICATION OF PRIESTS

         May 30, 2008, the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, is also the 7th annual World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests. This initiative, begun by the late Pope John Paul II and continued by Pope Benedict XVI, is meant to be an annual reminder and encouragement of support and prayer for priests. Bishop Martino also encourages prayer for priests. The following prayers are offered for your consideration on the Feast of the Sacred Heart and throughout the year. 

PRAYER FOR PRIESTS
(From the Congregation for Clergy) 

Lord Jesus, present in the Most Blessed Sacrament,
and living perpetually among us through Your Priests,
grant that the words of Your Priests may be only Your words,
that their gestures be only Your gestures,
and that their lives be a true reflection of Your life. 

Grant that they may be men who speak to God on behalf of His people,
and speak to His people of God.
Grant that they be courageous in service,
serving the Church as she asks to be served. 

Grant that they may be men who witness to eternity in our time,
traveling on the paths of history in Your steps,
and doing good for all.
 

Grant that they may be faithful to their commitments,
zealous in their vocation and mission,
clear mirrors of their own identity,
and living the joy of the gift they have received. 

We pray that Your Holy Mother, Mary,
present throughout Your life,
may be ever present in the life of Your Priests.  Amen

Pope John Paul II
1986 World Day of Prayer for Vocations
 

“O Jesus, Good Shepherd, bring forth in all parish communities priests, deacons and religious, consecrated and lay missionaries, according to the needs of the entire world that you love and want to save.

“We entrust to you in particular our community; create in us the spiritual climate of the first Christians, so that we may be able to be an upper room of prayer in loving reception of the Holy Spirit and his gifts.

“Assist our pastors and all consecrated persons. Guide the ways of those who have generously accepted your call and are preparing themselves for sacred orders or for the profession of the evangelical counsels.

“Turn your loving gaze toward many well disposed young people and call them to follow you. Help them to understand that they can only realize themselves fully in you. In trusting these great interests of your Heart to the powerful intercession of Mary, mother and model of all vocations, we implore you to sustain our faith in the certainty that the Father will hear those whom you yourself have commanded to ask. Amen.”