Not just for Priests!

      Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, has given the world a gift by proclaiming the Year for Priests, starting June 19, 2009 and ending June 19, 2010.  Why is it a gift to the world and not just acknowledging our priests?

      It is definitely a time to pray for all priests, living, deceased and to come. It is a time to appreciate the life of sacrifice that our priests have chosen to live for the spiritual benefit of the laity. It is also a time to recognize the sacramental gift of the Ordained Priesthood; no priests, no Communion and no physical presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

      The Year for Priests is a gift to the laity because when we pray for our priests it strengthens them in their ministry to us. When our priests are strong leaders we benefit, our small church community benefits and the Holy Mother Church at large benefits. It is the concept of the Mystical Body of Christ in action.

      The Year for Priests is also a gift to each individual Catholic when we choose to obtain the plenary indulgences that are available fifteen times throughout the year. (See the explanation that follows.) The indulgences help sanctify us so that we too who have been brought into the priesthood by our baptism can go out into the world and help evangelize in our own personal ways. This Year for Priests is indeed a gift to the world that is following in the footsteps of Pope John Paul II’s proclamation of the New Evangelization.

Special Indulgence for the Year for Priests

      During the Year for Priests which began on June 19 2009 and will end on June 19 2010, the gift of special Indulgences is granted as described in the Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary, published on May 12. The Plenary Indulgence is granted to all the faithful who are truly repentant who, in church or in chapel,

1) devoutly attend the divine Sacrifice of Mass and receive Holy Communion

2) 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

3) made expiation for their sins through    sacramental confession

4) prayed in accordance with the Supreme Pontiff's intentions on:

-the days in which the Year for Priests begins and ends (June 19)

-the day of the feast day of St John Mary Vianney, (August 4) - the first Thursday of the month.

      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 above-mentioned 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

1) every time they devoutly recite five Our Fathers, Hail Mary's and Glorias, or

2)  another expressly approved prayer, in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to obtain that priests be preserved in purity and holiness of life.

PRAYER SUGGESTIONS:  Mass, Rosary, Fasting, Eucharistic Adoration, Sufferings, Divine Mercy Chaplet; or as you are inspired.

ALSO CONSIDER:  Joining the group that prays especially for priests at Noon in the Chapel every Thursday or Tuesday before the 8:00 Mass or the following prayers.

      Almighty and Merciful God, who bestowed upon St. John Vianney, the Cure of Ars, wonderful pastoral zeal and great fervor of prayer and penance, grant, we beg of You, that by his example and intercession, our parish priests may be able to gain the souls of their brethren for Christ and with them attain everlasting glory. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for Priests

      O Jesus, Eternal Priest, keep Your Priests under the shelter of Your Sacred Heart. Keep unstained their anointed hands which daily touch Your Sacred Body. Keep unsullied their lips purpled with Your Precious Blood. Keep pure and holy their hearts, sealed with the sublime mark of Your Glorious Priesthood. Let Your Holy Love surround them and shield them from the world’s corruption. Bless their labors with abundant fruit, and may all to whom they minister here below be their joy and

consolation, and in Heaven their beautiful and

everlasting crown. Amen.