Year of the Priest

Pope Benedict XVI declared this a year of the priest in an effort to encourage "spiritual perfection" in priests. The pope opened the special year with a vespers service at the Vatican on June 19, 2009-the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the day for the sanctification of priests. This year also celebrates the 150th anniversary of the death of the Cure d'Ars, St. John Vianney, who has subsequently been declared by Pope Benedict to be the Universal Patron of Priests.

Here in the Archdiocese of Boston, Cardinal Sean has encouraged all to pray for the archdiocese and for vocations to the priesthood. Boston is privileged to have received a relic, the incorrupt heart of St. John Vianney, Patron Saint of Priests, in October 2006. At that time, Cardinal O'Malley gathered the faithful for a three-day event of prayerful veneration.

For the celebration of the Year for Priests, Cardinal O'Malley has appointed Auxilliary Bishop Robert F. Hennessey and Father Robert Connors, Pastor of St. Marguerite d'Youville and St. Francis of Assisi in Dracut, to serve as Chair and Vice-Chair of the efforts. They will lead a committee to assist the faithful throughout the Archdiocese in recognizing and celebrating the Year for Priests.

"Our Lord is our model, let us take up our cross and follow Him." The Cure of Ars

Please Pray for Priests.

A Prayer for Priests

In this Year for Priests, O Father,
we ask your blessing on those You have called to priestly ministry.

Show them Your love and give them Your strength.

May they, above all,
be faithful and passionate followers and friends of Your beloved Son, Jesus.

May they be prayerful like Jesus, hearts burning within them and set upon You above all.
May they celebrate the Mass with reverence and love and grow in devotion to the Eucharist.
May they be compassionate like Jesus toward all who seek peace and forgiveness.
May they be teachers like Jesus, on fire with Your Word.
May they be prophets like Jesus, proclaiming Your Kingdom to all.
May they entrust themselves into the care of Mary, Mother of Priests.
May they inspire and guide many men to answer a call to the priesthood.
St. John Vianney, beloved priest of God, pray for us and for all your brother priests.

Amen.

Pope Benedict XVI will close these celebrations during a World Meeting of Priests, in St. Peter's Square, on June 19, 2010.