Prayers for Priests 3

1. This collection of Prayers for Priests was gleaned over a 12-month period, from mid-February 2003 to mid-February 2004. It was planned as a short one. But it grew and grew and is still expanding. Most of these prayers were posted to Franciscan_Spirit@yahoogroups.com by Nadine Mansour <nadine.mansour@mbnet.fi>.

2. Your best prayer is your own. However, if you wish to consult an example, do not read these 100 all at once; be selective. Reading several prayers may become boring. Choose only one -- at random if you wish -- and stay with it. Meditate on it, deepen it out. Choose another prayer at another time and do the same. Summarize each one in your mind. Compare them, decide which one you prefer.

3. Most of these prayers are general, for ALL priests in the world. As a member of a daisy, you may change this for your PARTICULAR priest and mention his name. Replace the plural by the singular (they, them, their become he, him, his).

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, hear the prayers we offer for our priests. Let them know clearly the work that You are calling them to do. Grant them every grace to answer Your call with courage, love, and lasting dedication to Your will.

52. Novena For Priests (to Jesus, the Good Shepherd)
(originally May 31 - June 8, 2003; or any 9 consecutive days at any time)

Jesus, Good Shepherd,
You sent us the Holy Spirit to guide Your Church
and lead her faithful to You through the ministry of Your priests.

Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, grant to Your priests
wisdom in leading,
faithfulness in teaching,
and holiness in guarding Your sacred Mysteries.

As they cry out with all the faithful, "Abba, Father!"
may Your priests be ever more closely identified with You
in Your divine Sonship
and offer their own lives with You, the one saving Victim.

Make them helpful brothers of one another,
and understanding fathers of all Your people.

On this Pentecost Sunday [June 8, 2003], renew in Your priests
deeper faith,
greater trust in You,
childlike reliance on our Mother Mary,
and unwavering fidelity to the Holy Father and his bishops.

With Ecclesiastical Approval
Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C.
Bishop of Peoria

The priesthood in America today is in crisis. One symptom of that crisis was revealed through media coverage of the heinousand disgraceful behavior of some priests, and the concealing of that behavior by their bishops.

In the past, Church crises have often been the impetus for movements of reform and renewal, and today is no exception. Positive initiatives are beginning in many regions of our country. One of these is the Novena Prayer to the Good Shepherd -- initially the idea of a layman and two priests.

Why a Novena? Because this is such a long-established way to direct petitions to God, our Father, and to His saintly children who serve as persuasive intercessors. The Lord Himself has invited us to address our needs to him in common: "Where two or three are gathered in My Name, there am I in their midst." (Matthew 18:20) How could He fail to hear repeated pleas for His chosen ones who are in need of the grace to be more faithful in the certain knowledge that the Eternal Priest has not abandoned them, but is closer to them than ever in these moments of trial?

Those who initiated this Novena Prayer, in the spirit of Pope John Paul II's ongoing call for renewal in the Church, have sought and received ecclesiastical approval and the enthusiastic support of a growing circle of associates and friends, clergy and lay. Priests everywhere need to know of their many allies at a time when cultural forces are tempting them to lower their expectations. The Novena is meant to be a counter-offensive that will move every priest to raise his expectations and grow every day in the image of Christ's humanity and divinity.

It is the purpose of this website to publicize the Novena Prayer so that it can be in wide circulation by the feast of Pentecost [June 8], 2003. Please join us in this appeal and help us to spread news of this prayer initiative through whatever means are at your disposal. Please send along your suggestions and experiences.

For more information you may contact us.

www.novenaforpriests.com

Reproduction for resale prohibited.

Permission to reproduce for non-commercial use,
bulletins and other freely available material, is granted.

info@novenaforpriests.com

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Hail, Mother of God; when asked by the angel to bear the Son of the Most High, filled with faith, you responded: “Let it be done unto me *according to your word”.

Holy Mother of Jesus, at the wedding feast at Cana, you prompted your Son to perform His first sign. Be with us as we discern our life’s work and guide us in the way we are called to follow in the footsteps of your Son.

Holy Mother of the Savior, at the foot of the cross you mourned the death of your *only Son. Bless and embrace the loving parents of all priests, deacons, brothers and sisters.

Holy Mother of the Good Shepherd, turn your motherly care *to our diocese. Intercede for us to the Lord of the harvest to send more laborers *into the harvest.

Queen of Peace, Mirror of Justice, Health of the Sick, inspire vocations *to the priesthood in our time. Let the word of your Son be made flesh anew in the lives of persons *anxious to proclaim the Good News of everlasting life. *Draw them near to the heart of your Son so that they can understand the beauty and the joy that awaits them when the Lord Jesus calls them to be His witnesses. Amen.

*according to your word: omitted.
*only: added.
*to our diocese: to this nation.
*into the harvest: to the harvest in this land dedicated to your honor.
*to the priesthood: added.
*anxious: eager.
*Draw … witnesses: omitted.

grant that our priests be strengthened and healed by the power of the Eucharist they celebrate. May the Word they proclaim give them courage and wisdom.

We pray that all those whom they seek to serve may see in them the love and care of Jesus, our Eternal High Priest, who is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.

Let us pray for the Holy Father: fill him with courage and grace, Lord.
Cardinals, archbishops, and bishops: give them a shepherd's heart, Lord.
Diocesan priests: fill them with your Spirit, Lord.
Priests in religious orders: perfect them in their calling, Lord.
Priests who are ill: heal them, Lord.
Priests who are in danger: deliver them, Lord.
Priests who are weak: strengthen them, Lord.
Priests who are poor: relieve them, Lord.
Priests who have lost their zeal: renew them, Lord.
Priests who are sad: console them, Lord.
Priests who are worried: give them peace, Lord.
Priest who are old: sustain them, Lord.
Priests who are alone: accompany them, Lord.
Missionary priests: protect them, Lord.
Priests who are preachers: enlighten them, Lord.
Priest who direct souls: instruct them, Lord.
Priests and religious who have died: bring them to glory, Lord.

For all priests: give them Your wisdom and knowledge.
For all priests: give them Your understanding and counsel.
For all priests: give them reverence and awe of You.
For all priests: give them patience and love.
For all priests: give them obedience and kindness.
For all priests: give them a burning zeal for souls.
For all priests: give them virtues of faith, hope and love.
For all priests: give them an intense love for the Eucharist.
For all priests: give them loyalty to the Holy Father and their Bishops.
For all priests: give them respect for life and human dignity.
For all priests: give them integrity and justice.
For all priests: give them humility and generosity.
For all priests: give them strength in their labors.
For all priests: give them peace in their sufferings.
For all priests: give them great love for the Trinity.
For all priests: give them great love for Mary.
For all priests: let them be the light of Christ.
For all priests: let them be the salt of the earth.
For all priests: let them practice sacrifice and self-denial.
For all priests: let them be holy in body, mind and spirit.
For all priests: let them be men of prayer.
For all priests: may faith shine forth in them.
For all priests: may they be concerned for our salvation.
For all priests: may they be faithful to their priestly vocation.
For all priests: may their hands bless and heal.
For all priests: may they burn with love for you.
For all priests: may all their steps be for the glory of God.
For all priests: may the Holy Spirit fill them, and give them His gifts in abundance.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, hear the prayers we offer for our priests. Let them know clearly the work that You are calling them to do. Grant them every grace to answer Your call with courage, love, and lasting dedication to Your will. We ask Mary's intercession as their loving mother.

Lord our God,
in your Son, the Incarnated Word,
you have manifested your glory in the world;
give to baptized people
to discover in their lives
the signs of your presence.

Awaken in the hearts of many young people
the desire to consecrate their lives
to announce the Good News
of your love
as priests, deacons,
monks or nuns,
religious brothers or sisters,
missionaries or consecrated lay people.

Then, called to recognize you
in every human face
in this world,
we shall see your glory,
and that of your beloved Son,
full of grace and truth.

Source: www.diocesehearst.com
Translated from the French by Francis de Ruijte, June 20, 2003

Virgin Mary, Mother of the Good Shepherd, in you we come to praise our Almighty Father for his loving design for the Church. We entrust unto you, Mary, who were standing at the foot of th cross (John 19,25), the Church, the pope, the bishops and all the priests:

offer them to Jesus Eucharist;
support them in joys and in bad situations;
make them radiate with Jesus' merciful love.

May the pastors challenge people:
so that, by looking at them, they feel Jesus' love;
and that they draw to Him many vocations.

Thus all those who, with them, feel called to follow Jesus,
can say as you did, Mary:
"May it be to me as you have said" (Luke 1:38b).

And may all believe and sing the praises of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Dear Saint John Vianney, your childhood dream was to be a priest, to win souls for God. You endured years of toil and humiliation to attain the priesthood. You became a priest truly after God's own heart, outstanding in humulity and poverty, prayer and mortification. Totally devoted to the service of God's people. The Church has exalted you as model and patron saint of all Parish Priest, trusting that your example and prayers will help them to live up to the high dignity of their vocation to be faithful servants of God's people, to be perfect imitators of Christ the Savior Who came not to be served but to serve, to give His Life in ransom for many.

Pray that God may give to His Church today many more priests after His own heart. Pray for all the priests under your patronage, that they may be worthy representatives of Christ the Good Shepherd. May they wholeheartedly devote themselves to prayer and penance; be examples of humility and poverty; shining modelss of holiness; tireless and powerful preachers of the Word of God; zealous dispensers of God's Grace in the sacraments. May their loving devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist and to Mary His Mother be the Twin Fountains of fruitfulness for their ministry. Amen.

Almighty and everlasting God, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift; Send down upon our Bishops, and other Clergy, and upon the Congregations committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of thy grace; and, that they may truly please thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessings. Grant this, O Lord, for the honour of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Heavenly Father, in your wisdom you have called certain women and men to a life of special consecration so that in prayerful observance of a lifestyle of poverty, chaste celibacy and obedience, they might be witnesses to us that as St. Paul says, "our true citizenship is in heaven". Give them, Lord, the grace of joy and perseverance in their holy vocation. We ask this through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Good Shepherd, raise up in all parish communities, priest and deacons, religious, consecrated lay people and missionaries according to the needs of the whole world, which You love and want to save.

We entrust to You in a particular way our parish community; create in it the spiritual atmosphere of the first Christians in order that it may be a cenacle of prayer where we lovingly receive the Holy Spirit and His gifts.

Assist our pastors and all consecrated souls. Guide the steps of those who have generously welcomed Your call and prepared themselves for Holy Orders or the Profession of the Evangelical Counsels.

Direct Your loving gaze to the many well-disposed young people and invite them to follow You. Help them to understand that only in You they can achieve their fulfillment.

We entrust these great desires of Your Heart to the powerful intercession of Mary, Mother and model of all vocations, and beg You to sustain our faith in the certainty that the Father will listen to what You Yourself have instructed us to ask for.

Source: Posted on the Franciscan_Spirit mailing list on August 18, 2003 by Nadine Mansour; also as prayer # 6 in: Chalice of Strength, Crusade for Priests, Detroit Michican, 1996, pages 16-17 (www.opusangelorum.org).

Dear Father, shine your light upon me so that I may see my true vocation. Give me the grace to hear your word and be an example to others of your love for us. I pray for all in Priesthood, Consecrated life, Marriage and Single life, and for all who are listening to your call, that they may answer you in their vocation. Thank you for sending your son Jesus -- Lord of the Harvest -- help me to follow His example. May I freely, courageously and lovingly respond. Amen.

Mother of our Redeemer, in this era dedicated to you, with great joy we call you blessed. You believed in the Word of God the Father and declared yourself His handmaid, and so, through you, the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us. We salute you as Mother, our Mother, the Mother of the Church. With what great love you must have watched over the infant Church and what motherly solicitude encouraged the apostles as they committed themselves to carry on the work of Your Divine Son on earth. Make the Church ever to be the sign and instrument of intimate union with God.

To you, our Mother, we entrust in a special way our Bishop and the priests of our diocese. To them has been given a special sharing in the priesthood of Your Divine Son. He has chosen them to be ministers of His Word and Sacrament. Ask Him to fill them with zeal, to keep them faithful and joyful in His service, conscious of the fact that they care and so bring glory to the Father and honor to the Church.

Holy Mother, increase the ranks of our priests by inspiring our young people to be more generous in their response to serve Jesus in the priesthood and in religious life.

Sustain all of us, O Virgin Mary, on our journey of faith and obtain for us the grace of eternal salvation.

Source: the booklet "Devotions to Saint Joseph" by Brian Moore, S.J., printed and published by the Society of St. Paul. Posted on Franciscan_Spirit@yahoogroups.com by Nadine Mansour <nadine.mansour@mbnet.fi> on August 24, 2003.

Sourc: the booklet "Devotions to Saint Joseph" by Brian Moore, S.J., printed and published by the Society of St. Paul. Posted on Franciscan_Spirit@yahoogroups.com on August 26, 2003 by Nadine Mansour <nadine.mansour@mbnet.fi>

Jesus, Eucharistic Lord, I praise you and adore you, with all my brothers and sisters throughout the world, here in the sacrament of your Most Holy Body and Blood that we are celebrating, united with you to offer it to the Father as a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.

I thank you on behalf of all of us to have given us this great sacrament, the centre and summit of our spiritual life. I thank you for saying: "Do this in memory of me", to have chosen your twelve apostles, and a further 72 other disciples, and still today other men from generation to generation to continue this Mystery in your name, to preside over Eucharist, to absolve us from our sins in the name of the Holy Trinity, to be our spiritual guides,to be the pillars of your Church.

I thank you, Jesus Eucharist, to call even today men to partake in your ministerial priesthood, to become members of the presbytery, to assist our bishops, these men who pray for their brothers, who distribute the sacraments, who proclaim the Good News and preach your word and the teaching of the Church to nourish our spiritual lives.

I thank you, Jesus Eucharist, for these thousands of priests who serve their brethren in many ways as you showed in the washing of the feet.

Jesus, Eucharistic Lord, I believe, with all my brothers and sisters, that you are really present in the Host placed in the monstrance before us, with your glorious humanity and your divinity. I praise you, I glorify you, I adore you. I give you thanks, our Paraclete at the Father's side in heaven, who remain always with us on earth in the tabernacles, in our homes, in our hearts, where we can pray to you unceasingly, where you help us constantly.

Thank you, Jesus Eucharist, for being able to take you to the sick in hospitals, and to old people who cannot easily go around anymore.

All praise, all honor, all glory be yours, to you, our Creator, our Redeemer and our Sanctifier.

O Jesus, Eucharistic Lord, with thousands of brothers and sisters, in the communion of the saints and the angels, I pray to you for our priests, these men whom you have chosen and called to serve your Holy People. May the Holy Spirit Paraclete always accompany them. May your love constantly burn in their hearts. Fill their heart and life with Unquenchable Fire for you, Jesus, and for your Holy Gospel. Be the very centre of all they think and do. Inspire them when they speak to us. Strengthen them when they are weak. Be their courage when they are disheartened weary.

Refresh them in their hours of spiritual aridity. Shine on them when their hearts are dark. Be their joy when they succeed. Be close to them when they feel lonely and abandoned. Guide them in making difficult decisions. Be their only model and example in all they do for your Church.

Support them when they act or speak with boldness. Liberate them when they are oppressed. Shelter them when they need protection. Remind them to be grateful when they forget.

Move them to be sincere when they are inclined to cheat. Forgive them when they sin. Heal them when they hurt. Calm them when they are agitated. Increase their zeal when they become lukewarm or humdrum. Brighten them up when they are sad. Renew and santify them for they always need this. Raise them up to new life when they die. Grant them your reward for labouring so hard for you..

Virgin Mary, mother of the Eternal High priest, Jesus Christ, and Mother of the Church, with you, the saints and the holy angels, we pray Jesus Eucharist for our priests, to take care of their needs, to realize their dreams for the Church, to appease their hunger for their brothers, to support their daily necessities in their ministry and spiritual life.

Jesus Eucharist, through and with you we offer this prayer to the Father Almighty, in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Francis de Ruijte, OFM, September 3, 2003; 3^rd section updataed February 5-7, 2004. -- Section 3 was partly published in "My Day for Priests", February 2004. Posted on Catholic Priests Online <cathpriests@yahoogroups.com> 2004 Feb. 2-8.

We thank you for our faithful priests and bishops, whose spiritual fatherhood and example of fidelity, self-sacrifice, and devotion is so vital to the faith of your people.

May our spiritual fathers be guided by the examples of Saints Peter and Paul, all the Apostles and their saintly successors. Give them valiant faith in the face of confusion and conflict, hope in time of trouble and sorrow, and steadfast love for you, for their families, and for all your people throughout the world. May the light of your Truth shine through their lives and their good works.

Assist all spiritual fathers, that through your grace they may steadily grow in holiness and in knowledge and understanding of your Truth. May they generously impart this knowledge to those who rely on them. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, King of kings, you have power over life and death. You know even things that are hidden or obscure. And our very thoughts and feelings are open to you. Cleanse our priests from secret faults, when they did wrong and you saw it. You know how weak they are, both in soul and in body. Give them strength, O Lord, in their frailty and sustain them in their sufferings. Grant them a prudent judgement, dear Lord, and let them always be mindful of your blessings. Let them retain until the end your grace that has protected them till now.

Lord, [heavenly Father,] keep priests safe from the pain and grief that sin brings, from the dangers that they can't see, or the ones that they think they can risk because of their experience (pride and carelessness).

Mary, Mother of the Church, we pray to you for your sons chosen and sent by your Son Jesus to prolong his ministerial priesthood. Come to fill them witih the same attention and the same motherly love with which you surrounded your divine Son Jesus.

By your powerful intercession may they receive all the divine grace which they need to accomplish faithfully the priestly task that has been entrusted to them in the service of God's People.

Come and pray with us, Mary, in this intense prayer of Jesus on the night before his Passion: "May they all be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you, so that the world will believe it was you who sent me." (John 17:21). Amen.

Imprimatur (for the French text): August 4, 1993, feast of the holy Curé of Ars. Raymond Saint-Gelais, bishop of Nicolet, Quebec,

Canada

. Translated from the French by Francis de Ruijte, September 25, 2003.

Lord Jesus, I thank you for the gifts you have given me, especially for life, love, family and friends.

Help me to know myself better and to know my talents, as I pray, study and decide on my life's work.

Help me to see and understand the path you open for me. Help me choose a life's work which will be in response to my potential and your love for me.

If I am being invited to follow you as a priest, give me a generous heart to respond to your challenging call and the strength to follow you wherever you lead me. Amen

Dear Saint Gabriel, your very name recalls your particular devotion to Christ, the Man of Sorrows, and to Mary, his Afflicted Mother. You died young as a Passionist religious but left to us all an example of a life of Christlike sacrifice. Intercede for our seminarians and young religious, who are in desperate need of your patronage amid today's sensual and selfish world. Amen.

Lord God, the Provider of all our needs, you have asked us to pray for workers in your vineyard. Manifest in your church the Spirit whom you so abundantly bestowed on the apostles at Pentecost. Bless our parish and our diocese with an increase of men and women to minister in your church. Form our parish in your image to be the sacred environment for listening to the Spirit that these young men and women may hear your call and respond with generous hearts. May they give themselves, their time, and their talents to serve your Son and the Church.

Source: The Pocket Prayer Book (3" by 3"), A Manual For Catholics. New York: Regina Press. Posted on Franciscan Spirit mailing List by Joanie Zak, SFO, on October 25, 2003.

O, Jesus, Eternal High Priest, accept my fervent prayers for Father (name) _______ , your servant. I lift up this priest in prayer to you, and intercede for the Holy Catholic Priesthood. Take my offering to use as you will for one who is in need of prayer.

Dear Jesus, bless each priest with zeal for your Word. Inspire him with a love of the Eucharist. Instill in him humility; give him courage to lead his flock, and protect him always from the temptations and snares of the devil.

O, Heavenly Father, comfort him if he has grown discouraged. Inflame his heart with love if he has grown tepid.

If there is a priest in purgatory, bring him into Eternal Life with my heartfelt supplication.

May your Sacred Heart renew, strengthen and dwell in each priest so that he may truly be a new creation in your image.

Gracious Mother Mary, take this priest into your Immaculate Heart and intercede for your chosen son.

Source: Posted on Franciscan Spirit mailing list by Joanie Zak, SFO, on October 25, 2003.