Prayer for the Year for Priests — Benedict XVI

Official prayer of the Year for Priests proclaimed by Benedict XVI on the 150th anniversary of the death of the Holy Curé of Ars (16 June 2009 — 19 June 2010). Composed by the Congregation for the Clergy and circulated with the Apostolic Letter proclaiming the Year. Centred on the Heart of Christ as the model of every priest.

Lord Jesus, in your Heart we contemplate the model of the true shepherd; in him every priest finds inspiration and strength to lead souls to the Father.

Look with kindness upon the Church: give her holy priests, after your own Heart — men of prayer, of purity, of evangelical poverty, of joyful obedience.

Grant to your ministers the grace of pastoral charity, of zeal for the Gospel, of availability to the poor and the little ones. Sustain them in fidelity to celibacy and in the fraternity of the presbyterate.

To the young men called to the priesthood, give the generosity of response; to seminarians, fidelity in formation; to elderly or sick priests, the peace of a life given.

Through the hands of the Virgin Mary, Mother of priests, and by the intercession of the Holy Curé of Ars, hear the prayer of your Church. Amen.