Prayer for the gift of the Ministerial Priesthood — Sacrament of Holy Orders

The Sacrament of Holy Orders comprises three degrees — Episcopate, Presbyterate and Diaconate — and is the sacrament by which the mission entrusted by Christ to the Apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time. The biblical foundation is in the words of the Lord to the Twelve after the Resurrection: «As the Father hath sent me, I also send you (…). Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them» (Jn 20:21-23). The epistle to the Hebrews teaches that «neither doth any man take the honour to himself, but he that is called by God, as Aaron was» (Heb 5:4). The Council of Trent, Session XXIII (1563), can. 1-8 on Holy Orders, defined under anathema that «there is in the Catholic Church a visible and external priesthood, and the power of consecrating, offering and administering the Body and the Blood of the Lord, as well as that of remitting and retaining sins». The Second Vatican Council in Presbyterorum Ordinis (1965) and Optatam Totius (1965) renewed the sacerdotal doctrine. This prayer may be made by all the faithful for living priests, for seminarians in formation, and for deceased priests.

Lord Jesus Christ, supreme and eternal Priest of the New and eternal Covenant, who by your Blood poured out on the Cross accomplished the work of redemption, and who through the Sacrament of Holy Orders communicate your priesthood to the men of our race, chosen one by one to be your ministers: look upon your pilgrim Church, always in need of holy priests.

For the Bishops in communion with the Supreme Pontiff, grant the wisdom of good governance. For the presbyters of all generations, grant fidelity to priestly celibacy embraced for love of you, the passion for the celebration of the Eucharist, zeal for Confession, patience in listening to the people. For the deacons permanent and transitional, grant the heart of a servant according to your example at the washing of the feet.

Raise up among us new generous vocations to the ministerial priesthood. Sustain the seminarians in formation in human balance, in sound doctrine, in interior life. And to the aged, sick, or priests who have abandoned the ministry, grant the consolation of the Good Shepherd who despises no wounded sheep.

For the souls of deceased priests, especially those who baptised me, confirmed me, married me, heard my confession, fed me with your Eucharistic Body: grant them eternal rest.

Mary, Mother of Priests, pray for us.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.