Year for Priests, Priesthood Sunday, and a Prayer for Vocations

YEAR FOR PRIESTS

Faithfulness of Christ, faithfulness of priests

The priest, for the Church and in the Church, is a humble but real sign of the one, eternal Priest who is Jesus. He must proclaim his word authoritatively, renew his acts of pardon and offering and exercise loving concern in the service of his flock, in communion with the Pastors and faithfully docile to the teaching of the Magistrium.

From Pope Benedict XVI’s meeting with priests, seminarians and students in Sardinia, Italy. 7 September 2008

Priesthood Sunday

This Sunday we celebrate vocational calls to the priesthood and to the role of priests in the life of the Church. Throughout this year we can look and pray for vocations.

Prayer for Vocations

Lord Jesus, as You once called the first disciples to make them fishers of men, let your sweet invitation continue to resound: Come, follow Me!

Give young men and women the grace of responding quickly to Your voice. Support your bishops, priests and consecrated people in their apostolic labor.

Grant perseverance to our seminarians and to all those who are carrying out the ideal of a life totally consecrated to Your service.

Awaken in our community a missionary eagerness. Lord, send workers to your harvest and do not allow humanity to be lost for the lack of pastors, missionaries and people dedicated to the cause of the Gospel.

Mary, Mother of the Church, the model of every vocation, help us to say “yes” to the Lord Who calls us to cooperate in the divine plan of salvation. AMEN