Day of Prayer for Priests

Checking around my blog links, I see that today is the Day of Prayer for Priests! Who-hoo!

Theophilus makes the obvious connection with Feast of the Sacred Heart, as priests are dispensers of Our Lord's great mercy in the Sacrament of Confession.

He also cites the prayer by the Congregation for Priests:


Prayer for Priests
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,travelling 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

I have a few friends who insist on mentioning: "You know you are prayed for daily, by name." While my first instinct is to be embarrassed, I also recognize that through their prayers, I am never alone. I take strenght from their presence and encouragement.

In my first assignment, I was teaching full time so I had the 6:30 AM Mass before heading to the high school. I, admitttedly, am not much of a morning person, and it took me some time to get used to the schedule. However, I soon found that those who had gathered there at the start of their busy day were a great boost in the arm for me. It was wonderful to come out and see 60 people present (80 to 100 during Lent!), marking their day in Worship of the Lord.

We pray for each other. Please pray for your priests, and for seminarians. (If you've got time to throw one in for the Vocation Director, please do so!)

For an idea of what to do to pray for priests (and seminarians and vocations), consider joining Prayer Warriors!