In March 2009 the Holy Father, Benedict XVI, proclaimed a Year for Priests, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of St Jean-Marie Vianney, the Curé of Ars 

 

The theme for the priestly year is "Faithfulness of Christ, Faithfulness of Priests." The Pope opened the year with a celebration of Vespers on 19th June,the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the presence of the relic of the Curé of Ars, brought to Rome by Bishop Guy Bagnard of Belley-Ars. The closing ceremony will take place exactly one year later, with a World Meeting of Priests in St. Peter's Square, on 9-11 June 2010. Information and  booking forms are available from Bishop's House.  

 

During this year, a Directory for confessors and spiritual directors will be published, along with a compilation of texts by the Pope on the core issues of the life and mission of priests in the modern times. In addition, the Pope will officially proclaim St. Jean Marie Vianney as "patron saint of all the priests of the world."

 

The congregation will aim in this year to promote initiatives that will "highlight the role and mission of the clergy in the Church and in modern society." Another goal will be to address "the need to intensify the permanent formation of priests, associating it with that of seminarians."

 

Archbishop Vincent Nichols' address on the Year for Priests at Westminster Cathedral on 19th June can be read here - a PDF download is available near the foot of the page.

 

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In our Diocese, Bishop Peter toured the new Pastoral Areas during October and November, celebrating Mass with the local priests and people, to pray for our priests . See here for the dates and photos.

 

 

The Youth Office (NYMO) has produced an online resource for the Year of the Priest, for youth groups, confirmation groups and schools. It will have games, discussion points, film and music resources, prayer ideas and a basic outline of what it means to be a priest for youth leaders. It will also have links to vocations sites for deeper reflection and information about our own office for vocations. The resource will be up on its website for the whole year, and will feature the stories of different priests from around the Diocese reflecting on why they became a priest and what priesthood means to them. The resource can be found at www.nymo.org/priesthood .

 

A prayer card has been issued containing prayers for our priests, and for vocations to the priesthood, and Bishop Peter has asked us to offer these prayers as often as we can throughout the year.

Prayer for Priests

Father,
You have appointed Your Son, Jesus Christ, eternal High priest.
Guide those He has chosen to be ministers of word and sacrament.
Help them to be faithful in fulfilling the ministry they have received
Lord our God,
You guide your people by the ministry of priests.
Keep them faithful in obedient service to You
that by their life and ministry
they may bring You glory in Christ. 



Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood

Father,
in Your plan for salvation
You provide shepherds for your people.
Fill Your Church
with the spirit of courage and love.
Raise up worthy ministers for Your altars
and ardent but gentle servants of the gospel



Mary Immaculate – pray for us
St Thomas of Canterbury – pray for us
St John Vianney – pray for us

Amen