This is the time of year when new priests and deacons are normally ordained. It naturally follows that many priests and deacons also celebrate their anniversaries of ordination.
We know many married couples, too, who are observing wedding anniversaries. Isn’t it wonderful to see couples married 25, 40, 50, and even 60 years or more who are still happy and in love with each other?
It’s just as nice to see priests and deacons who continue to be happy in their service to the Church. We are so fortunate to have these happy, holy men willing to give their lives to follow Christ and serve His people.
Prayer for PriestsLord Jesus, we come into your Eucharistic presence to thank you for the life and priestly vocation of Pope Benedict XVI. Bless him and his ministry as your Vicar and the Successor of St. Peter. Sanctify all your priests and configure them to your Sacred and Priestly Heart. Give to your Church new and holy priests, who will imitate your divine love and shepherd your people with care. You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. |
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Pope’s 60th anniversary
This year, Catholics worldwide are asked to join in a special anniversary celebration. Pope Benedict XVI is marking his 60th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. Catholics are invited to celebrate with 60 hours of Eucharistic prayer for vocations.
The pope will celebrate his anniversary June 29, the Solemnity of St. Peter and Paul. In honor of his anniversary, the Vatican Congregation for Clergy suggested Catholic clergy and faithful be invited to participate in Eucharistic Adoration, especially in June, with the intention of praying for the sanctification of the clergy and for the gift of new and holy priestly vocations.
Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), highlighted the importance of this celebration. “An increase in number and sanctity of the priests in service to our dioceses is a sign of health and vitality in the Church,” he said. Prayer for vocations is “a worthy intention” and an appropriate spiritual sacrifice “in gratitude for the example and service of Pope Benedict XVI,” he wrote in a May 17 letter to bishops.
Special prayer
For this occasion, the USCCB Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations has designed a prayer card that can be downloaded from www.foryourvocation.org The prayer card can be linked to diocesan or parish Web sites, printed in parish bulletins, and used for dioceses or parishes. (A copy of the prayer is included with this editorial.)
“This is an exceptional opportunity to give thanks for our Holy Father, to pray for all of our priests, and to ask the Lord for more vocations to the priesthood,” said Archbishop Robert J. Carlson of St. Louis, chairman for the bishops’ Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations.
“The Holy Father has been an outstanding model of priestly ministry and service to the Church. In his Message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, he reminded the faithful that we all have a responsibility to pray for vocations. This is a great opportunity to do just that.”
I encourage people to keep a copy of this prayer and participate in Eucharistic Adoration as often as possible during June. Pray for our Holy Father on his 60th anniversary and for all priests that they will continue to lead happy, holy lives in service to all God’s people.