Year for Priests: 19 June June 2010

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1 Catholic Diocese of Sale, Victoria Year for Priests: 19 June June 2010 Prayers Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers. This means that the harvest is ready, but God wishes to enlist helpers to bring it into the storehouse. God needs them. He needs people to say: yes, I am ready to become your harvest labourer; I am ready to offer help so that this harvest which is ripening in people s hearts may truly be brought into the storehouses of eternity and become an enduring, divine communion of joy and love. Pray the Lord of the harvest also means that we cannot simply produce vocations; they must come from God. This is not like other professions, we cannot simply recruit people by using the right kind of publicity or the correct type of strategy. The call which comes from the heart of God must always finds its way into the heart of man. And yet, precisely so that it may reach into hearts, our cooperation is needed. To pray the Lord of the harvest means above all to ask him for this, to stir his heart and say: Please do this! Rouse labourers! Enkindle in them enthusiasm and joy for the Gospel! Make them understand that this is a treasure greater than any other, and that whoever has discovered it, must hand it on! We stir the heart of God. But our prayer to God does not consist of words alone; the words must lead to action so that from our praying heart a spark of our joy in God and in the Gospel may arise, enkindling in the hearts of others a readiness to say yes. As people of prayer, filled with his light, we reach out to others and bring them into our prayer and into the presence of God, who will not fail to do his part. In this sense we must continue to pray the Lord of the harvest, to stir his heart, and together with God touch the hearts of others through our prayer. And he, according to his purpose, will bring to maturity their yes, their readiness to respond; the constancy, in other words, through all this world s perplexity, through the heat of the day and the darkness of the night, to persevere faithfully in his service. Hence they will know that their efforts, however arduous, are noble and worthwhile because they lead to what is essential, they ensure that people receive what they hope for: God s light and God s love. BENEDICT XVI Meeting with Priests and Deacons Freising 14 September

2 Invocation O good Jesus, make me a priest after your own Heart! A Priest s Prayer 1 Loving Father, I praise you, I love you, I adore you. Send your Holy Spirit to enlighten my mind to the truth of your Son, Jesus, Priest and Victim. Through the same Spirit guide my heart to his Sacred Heart, to renew in me a priestly passion that I, too, might lay down my life upon the altar. May your Spirit wash away my impurities and free me from all my transgressions in the Cup of Salvation, Let only your will be done in me. May the Blessed Mother of your dearly beloved Son, wrap her mantle around me and protect me from all evil. May she guide me to do whatever He tells me. May she teach me to have the heart of St. Joseph, her spouse, to protect and care for my bride. And may her pierced heart inspire me to embrace as my own your children who suffer at the foot of the cross. I humbly cry to her: please be my consoling mother, and help me to be a better son. Lord, make me a holy priest, inflamed with the fire of your love, seeking nothing but your greater glory and the salvation of souls. I humbly bless and thank you, my Father, through the Spirit, in Christ Jesus, your Son and my brother. Amen. O Mary, Queen of priests, pray for us. Saint John Vianney, pray for us. USCCB Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations 2

3 A Priest s Prayer 2 Lord, you have called me to priestly ministry in a particular moment of history, as in the times of the first Apostles, when you desire that all Christians, and in a particular way, Your priests, might be witnesses to the wonders of God and the strength of Your Spirit. Allow me to be a witness to the dignity of human life, to the grandeur of love, and to the power of the ministry which I have received. May my entire life be dedicated to You: For love, only for love, and for a higher love. May my commitment to celibacy, born of Your mission, be a joyful and happy affirmation and a total dedication of myself to others in the service of Your Church. Give me strength in my weakness, and gratitude for my steadfastness. Holy Mother Mary, Greatest and most wonderful mother of all time, grant that I may entrust my life to you each day. Mary, font of generosity and dedication, grant that I may be joined with you at the foot of the greatest crosses of the world, experiencing the redeeming pain of the death of your Son, so that I might enjoy the triumph of the resurrection for eternal life. Amen. Congregation for the Clergy Libreria Editrice Vaticana A Priest s Prayer 3 Almighty God, We pray that your grace may assist us in the ministerial priesthood to serve you worthily and devoutly, in complete purity, and in good conscience. And if we are unable to live our lives with such innocence, grant that we repent most earnestly over the evil we have done. Grant that we may serve you fervently with a spirit of humility, with right intention of good will. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Congregation for the Clergy Libreria Editrice Vaticana 3

4 A Priest s Prayer 4 My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Thomas Merton, "Thoughts in Solitude" A Priest s Prayer to Jesus Christ Most beloved Jesus, with singular benevolence you have called me from among thousands of men to follow you in the excellence of priestly dignity. I beg you for the divine strength to fulfill my ministry. I implore you, Lord Jesus, to daily renew the grace given to me through the imposition of the hands of the Bishop. O most powerful doctor of souls, Heal me so that I may not fall back into evil, That I may flee from every sin, And that I may do what is pleasing in your eyes until the hour of my death. Amen. Lord Jesus Christ, spouse of my soul, delight of my heart and my soul, I fall on my knees before you, Praying fervently that I may receive your grace to persevere and grow in true faith every day. Bind me ever more closely to you. Amen. Congregation for the Clergy Libreria Editrice Vaticana 4

5 Opening Prayer Votive Mass of Christ the Eternal High Priest, the Roman Missal God, you appointed your Son, Jesus Christ as Eternal High Priest for your glory and the salvation of all. To those Christ has chosen as stewards of the sacred mysteries and preachers of the holy gospel grant the grace to be faithful in fulfilling their ministry. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Novena in Honour of Saint Jean Marie Vianney Bishop s Homily Liturgy of Ordination to the Priesthood Share with all mankind the word of God you have received with joy. Meditate on the law of God, believe what you read, teach what you believe, and put into practice what you teach. Let the doctrine you teach be true nourishment for the people of God. Let the example of your life attract the followers of Christ, so that by word and action you may build up the house which is God's Church. Know what you are doing and imitate the mystery you celebrate. In the memorial of the Lord's death and resurrection, make every effort to die to sin and to walk in the new life of Christ. From the Roman Rite: Liturgy of Ordination to the Priesthood Like Jesus we belong to the world living not for ourselves but for others. The joy of the Lord is our strength. Mother Teresa of Calcutta 5

6 Prayer for Priests 1 Almighty and Eternal God look with mercy on Your priests, sharing Your Fatherhood in Holy Church. Your Son, the Lord Jesus, has made them priests and victims with Himself: day by day, may they offer the worship of His Mystical Body in the Eucharistic Sacrifice, with their own homage of heart, mind and body. By the Holy Spirit, make them zealous in their priestly ministry; keep them devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, obedient to the Pope and their own Bishop, and through them inspire young men to serve you in the Priesthood. To You, O Holy Trinity, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen Prayer for Priests 2 Let us pray: Grant, O God Our Father, that our priests be strengthened and healed by the power of the Eucharist they celebrate. May the Word they proclaim give them courage and wisdom. We pray that all those whom they serve may see in them the love and care of Jesus Christ, our Eternal High Priest, who is Lord for ever and ever. Amen 1 1 Explanation of the icon of Christ the Great High Priest Iconographer Marek Czarnecki of Seraphic Restorations in Meriden, Connecticut, has graciously given the USCCB the rights to use the icon of Christ the Great High Priest during the Year for Priests. The artist allows anyone to use or reproduce the icon, as long as it is not for any commercial purpose, (i.e., it cannot be reprinted to be sold or resold, or reprinted on something that will be sold). If this is the intent, they need to contact the artist for permission to license the image, under written contract. This icon (egg tempera and gold leaf on wood panel, 28 x 22 ) is based on a fifteenth century Greek prototype; here Christ is shown in Latin Rite vestments with a gold pelican over His heart, the ancient symbol of self-sacrifice. The borders contain a winding grapevine and altar prepared for the celebration of the liturgy of the Mass; in the borders are smaller icons of Melchizedek and St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney. It is St. John Vianney whom Pope Benedict XVI, with the announcement of this special year, has declared the Universal Patron of Priests. 6

7 Prayer for Priests 3 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. USCCB Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations Prayer for Priests 3 Lord Jesus you have chosen your priests from among us and sent them out to proclaim your word and to act in your name. For so great a gift to your Church, we give you praise and thanksgiving. We ask you to fill them with the fire of your love, that their ministry may reveal your presence in the Church. Since they are earthen vessels, we pray that your power shine out through their weakness. In their afflictions let them never be crushed; in their doubts never despair; in temptation never be destroyed; in persecution never abandoned. Inspire them through prayer to live each day the mystery of your dying and rising. In times of weakness send them your Spirit, and help them to praise your heavenly Father and prayer for sinners. By the same Holy Spirit put your word on their lips and your love in their hearts for the broken hearted. And 7

8 may the gift of Mary, your mother, to the disciple whom you loved, be your gift to every priest. Grant that she who formed you in her human image, may form them in your divine image, by the power of your Spirit, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. Prayer for Priests 4 Lord Jesus, present in the Most Blessed Sacrament, and living perpetually among us through the action of your priests, grant that the word 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 your priests may be men who speak to God on behalf of his people, and speak to God s people about the mercy and love of God. Grant that all priests may be courageous in service, ministering to the Church are she asks to be served. Grant that your priests be men who witness to eternity in our time, travelling on the paths of history in your steps, and doing good for all. Grant that your priests 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 that 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. This prayer and others, including the Rosary for priests and selected resources for celebrating the Year of the Priest can be accessed from the Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations at the US Catholic Bishops Conference website. May we, sharers in Christ s priesthood, be inspired to share in the task of bringing the world to God. 8

9 A Prayer for Our Priests You came from among us to be, for us, one who serves. We thank you for ministering Christ to us and helping us minister Christ to each other. We are grateful for the many gifts you bring to our community: for drawing us together in worship, for visiting us in our homes, for comforting us in sickness for showing us compassion, for blessing our marriage, for baptising our children, for confirming us in our calling, for supporting us in bereavement, for helping us to grow in faith, for encouraging us to take the initiative, for helping the whole community realise God's presence among us. For our part, we pray that we may always be attentive to your needs and never take you for granted. You, like us, need friendship and love, welcome and a sense of belonging, kind words and acts of thoughtfulness. We pray, also, for the priests who have wounded priesthood. May we be willing to forgive and may they be open to healing. Let us support one another during times of crisis. God our Father, we ask you to bless our Priests and confirm them in their calling. Give them the gifts they need to respond with generosity and a joyful heart. We offer this prayer for our priest, who is our brother and friend, Amen From World day of Prayer for Priests 9

10 Litany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Priest and Victim Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy, Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy. Christ hear us, Christ hear us. Christ, graciously hear us, Christ, graciously hear us. God the Father of Heaven, * Have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, * God the Holy Spirit, * Holy Trinity, One God, * Jesus, Priest and Victim, * Jesus, Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek, * Jesus, Priest Whom God sent to preach the Gospel to the poor, * Jesus, Priest Who at the Last Supper instituted the form of the eternal sacrifice, * Jesus, Priest Who lives forever to intercede for us, * Jesus, High Priest whom the Father anointed with the Holy Spirit and power, * Jesus, High Priest chosen from among men, * Jesus, made High Priest for men, * Jesus, High Priest of our confession of faith, * Jesus, High Priest of greater glory than Moses, * Jesus, High Priest of the true tabernacle, * Jesus, High Priest of the good things to come, * Jesus, High Priest, holy, innocent and undefiled, * Jesus, High Priest, faithful and merciful, * Jesus, High Priest, inflamed with zeal for God and souls, * Jesus, High Priest, perfect forever, * Jesus, High Priest, Who by Your own Blood entered the heavens, * Jesus, High Priest, who opened a new way for us, * Jesus, High Priest, who loved us and washed us from our sins in Your Blood, * Jesus, High Priest, who offered Yourself to God as an oblation and sacrificial Victim, * Jesus, sacrificial Victim of God and men, * Jesus, holy and immaculate sacrificial Victim, * Jesus, pleasing sacrificial Victim, * Jesus, peace-making sacrificial Victim, * Jesus, Sacrifice of propitiation and praise, * Jesus, sacrificial Victim of reconciliation and peace, * Jesus, sacrificial Victim in whom we have confidence and access to God, * Jesus, sacrificial Victim living forever and ever, * Be merciful, Spare us, Jesus. Be merciful, Graciously hear us, Jesus. Through Your eternal priesthood, * Deliver us, Jesus. Through the holy anointing whereby You were constituted a priest by God the Father, * Through Your priestly spirit, * Through that ministry whereby You glorified Your Father on earth, * Through the bloody immolation of Yourself made once and for all upon the Cross, * Through that same sacrifice daily renewed upon the altar, * Through that divine power which You exercise invisibly in Your priests, * 10

11 That You would deign to maintain the whole priestly order in holy religion, * We beseech You, hear us. That You would deign to provide Your people with pastors after Your own heart, * That You would deign to fill them with the spirit of Your priesthood, * That the lips of Your priests might preserve true knowledge, * That You would deign to send faithful workers into Your harvest, * That You would deign to multiply the faithful dispensers of Your Mysteries, * That You would deign to grant them perseverance in the service of Your will, * That You would deign to give them gentleness in their ministry, resourcefulness in their actions, and constancy in prayer, * That through them You would deign to promote the veneration of the Blessed Sacrament everywhere, * That You would deign to receive into Your joy those who have served You well, * Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us, O Lord. Jesus, Our Priest, Hear us. Jesus, Our Priest, Graciously hear us. Let us pray: O God, Sanctifier and Guardian of your Church, Raise up in her through Your Spirit suitable and faithful dispensers of the holy Mysteries, so that by their ministry and example, the Christian people may be guided under Your protection in the path of salvation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. O God, who, while the disciples were worshiping and fasting, ordered Saul and Barnabas to be set apart for the work to which You had called them, be present now to Your Church in prayer, and You, who know the hearts of all, indicate those whom You have chosen for ministry. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Ecclesiastical approval for English translation: Adam Cardinal Maida, Archbishop Emeritus of Detroit The Litany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Priest and Victim, was often prayed by Pope John Paul II as a seminarian in Krakow, and later in life as a priest, bishop and pope. This prayer leaflet was printed in honour of the Year for Priests proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI from June 19, 2009 June 19, Institute on Religious Life, P.O. Box 7500 Libertyville, IL USA irlstaff@religiouslife.com "Nothing means more to me or gives me greater joy that to celebrate Mass each day and to serve God's people in the Church. That has been true ever since the day of my ordination as a priest. Nothing has ever changed this, not even becoming Pope." Pope John Paul II 11

12 12 Prayer for Vocations God our Father, You will all men and women to be saved and to come to the knowledge of Your Truth. Send workers into Your great harvest that the Gospel may be preached to every creature and Your people, gathered together by the Word of life and strengthened by the power of the Sacraments, may advance in the way of salvation and love. May the example of Saint John Vianney s pastoral zeal and constant prayer and penance inspire many young men and women to courageously respond to serve the Church as priests, religious and in other vocations of consecrated service. Amen. Image by Michael O Brien 2009 Used with permission A Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood Lord Jesus, you invite us to pray to the Lord of the harvest that he send labourers into his vineyard. Lord and God of all, call to the priesthood men on fire with your divine love, who will be the voice of the Good Shepherd to the scattered flock. R. Lord of the harvest, send labourers into your vineyard Lord and Saviour, bless us with holy priests. Through their ministry may your life-giving presence in the sacraments be always present in the Church. R. Lord of the harvest, send labourers into your vineyard Lord and giver of life, raise up men filled with your power and with great missionary zeal, so that all who dwell in darkness may come to live in the light of Christ. R. Lord of the harvest, send labourers into your vineyard Lord, protector of family life, fill families with your Spirit so that the home may become a place where faith is nourished and vocations encouraged. R. Lord of the harvest, send labourers into your vineyard (Silent prayer for vocations) Lord Jesus, you call chosen men to be with you: to preach the good news and to have authority over the powers of darkness. Send your Holy Spirit upon the men you have chosen for priestly ministry. May they answer your call and follow you with generous hearts. R. Amen.

13 The Lord who calls us to ministry does not call us simply to say or to do something, but above all to be something. Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini Quotations from Saint Jean Vianney on the mystery of the Eucharist When we receive Holy Communion, we experience something extraordinary - a joy, a fragrance, a well being that thrills the whole body and causes it to exalt. If we really understood the Mass, we would die of joy. There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us. When we have been to Holy Communion, the balm of love envelops the soul as the flower envelops the bee. 13

14 APOSTOLIC PENITENTIARY DECREE Special Indulgence for the Year for Priests As has been announced, the Holy Father Benedict XVI has decided to establish a special Year for Priests on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of St John Mary Vianney, the holy Curé d'ars, a shining model of a Pastor totally dedicated to the service of the people of God. During the Year for Priests which will begin on 19 June 2009 and will end on 19 June 2010, the gift of special Indulgences is granted as described in the Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary, published on 12 May. Shortly the day will come on which will be commemorated the 150th anniversary of the pious departure to Heaven of St John Mary Vianney, the Curé d'ars. This Saint was a wonderful model here on earth of a true Pastor at the service of Christ's flock. Since his example is used to encourage the faithful, and especially priests, to imitate his virtues, the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI has established that for this occasion a special Year for Priests will be celebrated, from 19 June 2009 to 19 June 2010, in which all priests may be increasingly strengthened in fidelity to Christ with devout meditation, spiritual exercises and other appropriate actions. This holy period will begin with the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a day of priestly sanctification on which the Supreme Pontiff will celebrate Vespers in the presence of the holy relics of St John Mary Vianney, brought to Rome by the Bishop of Belley-Ars, France. The Most Holy Father will likewise preside at the conclusion of the Year for Priests in St Peter's Square, in the presence of priests from across the world who will renew their fidelity to Christ and the bond of brotherhood. May priests commit themselves, with prayer and good works, to obtaining from Christ the Eternal High Priest, the grace to shine with Faith, Hope, Charity and the other virtues, and show by their way of life, but also with their external conduct, that they are dedicated without reserve to the spiritual good of the people something that the Church has always had at heart. The gift of Sacred Indulgences which the Apostolic Penitentiary, with this Decree issued in conformity with the wishes of the August Pontiff, graciously grants during the Year for Priests will be of great help in achieving the desired purpose in the best possible way. A. Truly repentant priests who, on any day, devoutly recite at least morning Lauds or Vespers before the Blessed Sacrament, exposed for public adoration or replaced in the tabernacle, and who, after the example of St John Mary Vianney, offer themselves with a ready and generous heart for the celebration of the sacraments, especially Confession, are mercifully granted in God the Plenary Indulgence which they may also apply to their deceased brethren in suffrage, if, in conformity with the current norms, they receive 14

15 sacramental confession and the Eucharistic banquet and pray for the Supreme Pontiff's intentions. Furthermore the Partial Indulgence is granted to priests who may apply it to their deceased confreres every time that they devoutly recite the prayers duly approved to lead a holy life and to carry out in a holy manner the offices entrusted to them. B. The Plenary Indulgence is granted to all the faithful who are truly repentant who, in church or in chapel, devoutly attend the divine Sacrifice of Mass and offer prayers to Jesus Christ the Eternal High Priest, for the priests of the Church, and any other good work which they have done on that day, so that he may sanctify them and form them in accordance with His Heart, as long as they have made expiation for their sins through sacramental confession and prayed in accordance with the Supreme Pontiff's intentions: on the days in which the Year for Priests begins and ends, on the day of the 150th anniversary of the pious passing of St John Mary Vianney, on the first Thursday of the month or on any other day established by the local Ordinaries for the benefit of the faithful. It will be most appropriate, in cathedral and parish churches, for the same priests who are in charge of pastoral care to publicly direct these exercises of devotion, to celebrate Holy Mass and to hear the confession of the faithful. The Plenary Indulgence will likewise be granted to the elderly, the sick and all those who for any legitimate reason are confined to their homes who, with a mind detached from any sin and with the intention of fulfilling as soon as possible the three usual conditions, at home or wherever their impediment detains them, provided that on the abovementioned days they recite prayers for the sanctification of priests and confidently offer the illnesses and hardships of their lives to God through Mary Queen of Apostles. Lastly, the Partial Indulgence is granted to all the faithful every time they devoutly recite five Our Fathers, Hail Marys and Glorias, or another expressly approved prayer, in honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to obtain that priests be preserved in purity and holiness of life. This Decree is valid for the entire duration of the Year for Priests. Anything to the contrary notwithstanding. Given in Rome, at the Offices of the Apostolic Penitentiary on 25 April, the Feast of St Mark the Evangelist, in the year of the Incarnation of our Lord Cardinal James Francis Stafford Major Penitentiary + Gianfranco Girotti, O.F.M. Conv. Titular Bishop of Meta, Regent L. + S. Prot. N. 136/09/I 15