Resources:  Year for Priests

 

Please click here to view a special collection of photos taken at the Year for Priests Mass and Dinner held January 16, 2010 at St. Mary Church

 

 

HOLY FATHER ANNOUNCES SPECIAL YEAR FOR PRIESTS

 

     Having just concluded a year dedicated to St. Paul,  Pope Benedict XVI has asked the church to celebrate with him a special year for priests.  This year is marked with the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Vianney, the Cure d’ Ars.  This saint is the patron saint of priests and his life serves as a model for all priestly ministry, particularly in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  This year began on June 19, 2009 and will conclude on June 19, 2010.  There will be many special celebrations throughout the year. Of particular note, is the offering of a Plenary Indulgence, which is the remission of temporal punishment due to sin.  This indulgence is offered on the opening and closing day of the Year of the priests, on the occasions of the Chrism mass at St. Joseph Cathedral (March 30, 2010) and ordination of priests (May 30, 2010) and on the first Thursday of each month.   To receive this indulgence the faithful must fulfill the following: [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 the Mass and offer prayers to Jesus Christ the Eternal High Priest, for the priests of the Church, and any other good work 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.]…from the Apostolic Penitentiary Decree for the special indulgences for the Year for Priests issued 25 April, 2009.  A full copy of this decree is available in the parish office.  Accordingly, on the first Thursday of each month the sacrament of reconciliation will be offered following the 8:15am mass until June 19, 2010.  You are encouraged to pray for priests this year and on these special days to attend mass and receive sacramental reconciliation.  Reminders will appear in the bulletin regarding the special days, other than First Thursdays, which will include the opportunity for the indulgence. 

 

Prayer for Priests

 

My God and Father,

in response to the word

of your Son

on the Mount of Olives,

"Watch and pray with me,"

we ask you to accept us 

        as special helpers for 

           your priests, on

behalf of whom, we offer

you each Thursday as a

sacrifice of love.

                 With a fervent desire of

being such a helper of

priests, I offer you, Father,

in complete confidence,

each Thursday as a

sacrifice of love on behalf  

 of all priests.

Take this sacrifice of my

poor love and transform   

   it in your Heart into the wine

for the Chalice of Strength.

Then, Father,         

        send your angels out  

         with this chalice to all 

 priests!

 

Amen.

 

† Pope John Paul II