Arch. Fulton Sheen: The Meaning of Mass, Part I

A Priest's Request: "Prayers for Priests...Please!"

Blessed Sacrament Church, Paterson, NJ

The following was posted by one of Association for Catholic Women Bloggers contributors Father Patrick.  Please pray for our priests!

A Priest’s Prayer
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.

They say write about what you know! I like to reflect upon the gift of the priesthood. The gift of the priesthood is like any gift that is given, it is appreciated best when it is received with joy! As A priest I find that I am sustained and helped by prayer, not only my own prayer life but the prayers of others. Please say a prayer each day for your own priests in the parishes where you are and also spare one for all priests. I like to see prayers for us priests as a protecting veil that is thrown over the cares and worries of the priest, one that soothes the furrowed brow and lightens the lonesome burdens. Prayer keeps me going in my walk with the Lord and your prayers are always most welcome!

A Message to Spiritual Mothers from a Priest

Picture source

I belong to an online group where we pray for priests. One of the members, Father Greg shared an email which contained the following. I have permission to post it here on this blog. Please keep Father Greg and all our priests in your daily prayers.

Greetings those who keep us priest out of trouble (laughing)!

I want to thank you all for the prayers which you offer for us each and every day in these difficult times. The priest of this age finds himself to be man without a home as he finds himself struggling to stay a float left to drift both by the society and even the institutional church. Please remember in your prayers all who are struggling. Believe me there are many priest who are on the brink of giving up. It is your prayers and support that keep us alive in Christ...