"Our Lord is our model, let us take up our cross and follow Him."
The Little Catechism of the Curé of Ars, TAN Books, 1987
As the Pauline Year draws to an end, Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed the “Year for Priests” which began on June 19, 2009, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In a meeting with the Vatican Congregation for Clergy assembled to discuss the missionary identity of the priest on March 16, the Pope referred to priestly ministry and the importance of “a spiritually intense new life and a new lifestyle which was inaugurated by the Lord Jesus and which the apostles made their own."
The pope chose this year because it marks the 150th anniversary of the death of the patron saint of parish priests, St. John Vianney, who is also known as the “Curé d’Ars” (French for the “parish priest of Ars”). The Pope subsequently declared the saint the Universal Patron of Priests. With St. John as an example, the Pope has said this year is “meant to deepen the commitment of all priests to interior renewal for the sake of a more forceful and incisive witness to the Gospel in today's world.”
St. John Vianney, born in Dardilly, France in 1786 and ordained a priest in 1815, was sent to Ars with a warning from his bishop that the people there had little love of God. It would be up to St. John to inspire the parishioners. With this in mind, he set himself to educate the faithful as well as visit the sick and the families of his parish. The Curé did much to transform the hearts of his flock through the witness of his life and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. This was perhaps most acutely seen in his emphasis on the Sacrament of Penance, which kept him in the confessional up to sixteen hours a day.
In October 2006, the Archdiocese of Boston was privileged to receive a relic of St. John Vianney: his incorrupt heart. Encouraged by Cardinal O’Malley to pray for the archdiocese and for vocations to the priesthood, the faithful gathered for a three-day event of prayerful veneration.
For the celebration of the Year for Priests, Cardinal O'Malley appointed Auxilliary Bishop Robert F. Hennessey and Father Robert Connors, Pastor of St. Marguerite d’Youville and St. Francis of Assisi in Dracut to serve as Chair and Vice-Chair of the efforts. They will lead a committee to assist the faithful throughout the Archdiocese in recognizing and celebrating the Year for Priests.
A Prayer for Priests
In this Year for Priests, O Father, we ask your blessing on those You have called to priestly ministry. Show them Your love and give them Your strength.
May they, above all, be faithful and passionate followers and friends of Your beloved Son, Jesus.
May they be prayerful like Jesus, hearts burning within them and set upon You above all.
May they celebrate the Mass with reverence and love and grow in devotion to the Eucharist.
May they be compassionate like Jesus toward all who seek peace and forgiveness.
May they be teachers like Jesus, on fire with Your Word.
May they be prophets like Jesus, proclaiming Your Kingdom to all.
May they entrust themselves into the care of Mary, Mother of Priests.
May they inspire and guide many men to answer a call to the priesthood.
St. John Vianney, beloved priest of God, pray for us and for all your brother priests.
Amen.
To honor the Year of the Priest, six locations have been designated around the Archdiocese of Boston for Eucharistic Adoration for the Sanctification of Priests and Vocations to the Priesthood:
St Mary Star of the Sea--Beverly, North Region
St Michael Parish--North Andover, Merrimack Region
St Williams Parish--Tewksbury, Merrimack Region
St Patrick Parish, Natick, West Region
Holy Ghost Parish, Whitman, South Region
St Clement Eucharistic Shrine, Boston, Central Region