Introductory Remarks on
The Year for Priests

On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of the saintly ‘Curé d’Ars’, Jean Marie Vianney, Pope Benedict XVI has announced that the Church will celebrate a special year for priests to begin on June 19th, the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

In the presence of the relics of the ‘Curé d’Ars’ which will be brought to Rome from France by Bishop Guy Bagnard of Belley-Ars, the Holy Father will inaugurate the year with Vespers in St. Peter’s Basilica. The Holy Pastor of Ars, Patron Saint of parish priests, is “a true example of a pastor at the service of Christ’s flock”, Benedict had said establishing this special Year for Priests in his address to the Congregation for the Clergy on March 16th. One of the reasons for this Year is precisely to “encourage priests in … striving for spiritual perfection on which, above all, the effectiveness of their ministry depends …”. Such aspiration to moral and spiritual perfection, the Pope said, is “necessary, indeed indispensable” and “must dwell in every authentically priestly heart”.

In his address to the Congregation, the Holy Father also stressed the ecclesial communal, hierarchical and doctrinal dimensions that are "absolutely indispensable for any authentic [priestly] mission," and which guarantee "spiritual effectiveness." To this end, priestly formation must be followed with the greatest care and must maintain the "communion with unbroken ecclesial Tradition, without pausing or being tempted by discontinuity. In this context, it is important to encourage priests, especially the young generations, to a correct reading of the texts of Vatican Council II, interpreted in the light of all the Church's doctrinal inheritance."

In conclusion, Pope Benedict also warned against the "dilution" of priestly ministry. Without priests, "there would be no Eucharist, no mission" or the Church, the Pope said. "It is necessary then, to ensure that 'new structures' or pastoral organisations are not planned for a time in which it will be possible to 'do without' ordained ministry, on the basis of an erroneous interpretation of the promotion of the laity, because this would lay the foundations for a further dilution in priestly ministry, and any supposed 'solutions' would, in fact, dramatically coincide with the real causes of the problems currently affecting the ministry."

During the course of the Year, Pope Benedict will proclaim St. Jean Marie Vianney as the patron saint of all the priests of the world. A "Directory for Confessors and Spiritual Directors" will also be published, as will a collection of texts by the Holy Father on essential aspects of the life and mission of priests in our time.

The Year will close on June 19th, 2010 with Pope Benedict presiding at a "World Meeting of Priests" in St Peter's Square.

Please, pray for our priests!

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Diocese of Peterborough
Prayers for Priests

The following 31 Prayers in this section are available as a PDF document click

2. O Jesus, eternal Priest,
keep your priests within the shelter of Your Sacred Heart,
where none may touch them.

Keep unstained their anointed hands,
which daily touch Your Sacred Body.

Keep unsullied their lips,
daily purpled with your Precious Blood.

Keep pure and unearthly their hearts,
sealed with the sublime mark of the priesthood.

Let Your holy love surround them and
shield them from the world's contagion.

Bless their labors with abundant fruit and
may the souls to whom they minister be their joy and consolation here
and in heaven their beautiful and everlasting crown. Amen.

(St. Therese of Lisieux)

3. Father, I beseech You, direct the hearts and wills of the servants of Your Bride, the Holy Church, unto yourself so that they may follow the poor, bleeding, humble, and gentle Lamb of God on the way of the Cross. Make them angels in the shape of men; for after all, they have to administer and distribute the Body and Blood of Your Only Begotten Son!  Amen    

(St. Catherine of Siena)

4. O my Jesus, I beg You on behalf of the whole Church: Grant it love and the light of Your Spirit and give power to the words of priests so that hardened hearts might be brought to repentance and return to You, O Lord.

Lord, give us holy priests; You Yourself maintain them in holiness. O Divine and Great High Priest, may the power of Your mercy accompany them everywhere and protect them from the devil's traps and snares which are continually being set for the souls of priests. May the power of Your mercy, O Lord, shatter and bring to naught all that might tarnish the sanctity of priests, for You can do all things. I ask You, Jesus, for a special blessing and for light for the priests before whom I will make my confessions throughout my lifetime. Amen.

(Saint Faustina)

5. O Holy Mother of God, pray for the priests your Son has chosen to serve the Church. Help them, by your intercession, to be holy, zealous, and chaste. Make them models of virtue in the service of God's people. Help them be pious in meditation, efficacious in preaching, and zealous in the daily offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Help them administer the Sacraments with love and joy. Amen.
(St. Charles Borromeus)

6. O Mary,
Mother of Jesus Christ and Mother of priests,
accept this title which we bestow on you
to celebrate your motherhood
and to contemplate with you the priesthood
of your Son and of your sons,
O holy Mother of God.

O Mother of Christ,
to the Messiah-priest you gave a body of flesh
through the anointing of the Holy Spirit
for the salvation of the poor and the contrite of heart;
guard priests in your heart and in the Church,
O Mother of the Savior.

O Mother of Faith,
you accompanied to the Temple the Son of Man,
the fulfillment of the promises given to the fathers;
give to the Father for his glory
the priests of your Son,
O Ark of the Covenant.

O Mother of the Church,
in the midst of the disciples in the upper room
you prayed to the Spirit
for the new people and their shepherds;
obtain for the Order of Presbyters
a full measure of gifts,
O Queen of the Apostles.

O Mother of Jesus Christ,
you were with him at the beginning
of his life and mission,
you sought the Master among the crowd,
you stood beside him when he was lifted up from the earth
consumed as the one eternal sacrifice,
and you had John, your son, near at hand;
accept from the beginning those who have been called,
protect their growth,
in their life ministry accompany your sons,
O Mother of Priests.
Amen.

(Pope John Paul II)

7. Lord Jesus, we your people pray to You for our priests. You have given them to us for OUR needs. We pray for them in THEIR needs.

We know that You have made them priests in the likeness of your own priesthood. You have consecrated them, set them aside, annointed them, filled them with the Holy Spirit, appointed them to teach, to preach, to minister, to console, to forgive, and to feed us with Your Body and Blood.

Yet we know, too, that they are one with us and share our human weaknesses. We know too that they are tempted to sin and discouragement, as are we, needing to be ministered to, as do we, to be consoled and forgiven, as do we. Indeed, we thank You for choosing them from among us, so that they understand us as we understand them, suffer with us and rejoice with us, worry with us and trust with us, share our beings, our lives, our faith.

We ask that You give them this day the gift You gave Your chosen ones on the way to Emmaus:
Your presence in their hearts,
Your holiness in their souls,
Your joy in their spirits.
And let them see You face to face in the breaking of the Eucharistic Bread.
We pray to You, O Lord, with Mary, the mother of priests, for Your priests and for ours. Amen

(John Cardinal O'Connor)

8. O Almighty, Eternal God, look upon the Face of your Son and for love of him, who is the Eternal  High Priest, have pity on your priests. Remember, O most compassionate God, that they are but weak and frail human beings. Stir up in them the grace of their vocation which is in them by the imposition of the bishop's hands. Keep them close to you, lest the enemy prevails against them, so that they may never do anything in the slightest degree unworthy of their sublime vocation.

(Richard James Cardinal Cushing)

9. O Jesus, our great High Priest, hear my humble prayers on behalf of your priests.
Give them a deep faith, a bright and firm hope, and a burning love which will ever increase in the course of their priestly life.
In their loneliness, comfort them.
In their sorrows, strengthen them.
In their frustrations, point out to them that it is through suffering that the soul is purified and show them that they are needed by the Church;
they are needed by souls;
they are needed for the work of redemption.
O lovely Mother Mary, Mother of Priests, take to your heart your sons who are close to you because of their priestly ordination and because of the power which they have received to carry on the work of Christ in a world which needs them so much.

Be their comfort;
be their joy;
be their strength;
and especially help them to live and defend the ideals of consecrated celibacy.
Amen.

(John Joseph Cardinal Carberry)

10. Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest,

Bless our priests who act in your place:
who teach us your holy ways;
who forgive us our sins;
and who feed us with your Body and Blood in the Eucharist.

Give your priests a deep faith, a firm hope,
and a burning love for your people.
Strengthen them in their joys and sorrows
as they seek to follow You.

From among us, You have called some to be priests.
Help them to embrace their vocation,
and help us to respect and support them
as they find fulfillment in doing your will.

We pray to You, Lord Jesus, with confidence
that you will hear our prayer. Amen.

(Vocations Office, Diocese of Peterborough)

11. Eternal God,
please bless our priests
who represent you on this earth.
Make them more greatly aware of the grace
that you pour out through them
when they minister the sacraments,
and help them to fall more deeply in love with You
after each and every Mass that they celebrate.
Please strengthen our priests,
who shepherd your flock,
when they are in doubt of their faith
that they may be examples of your Truth
and guide us always on the path to You.
We ask these things of You our Eternal Priest.
Amen.

12. Most gracious Heavenly Father,
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.

13. Lord Jesus, Chief Shepherd of the flock, we pray that in the great love and mercy of your Sacred Heart you attend to all the needs of your priest-shepherds throughout the world. We ask that you draw back to your Heart all those priests who have seriously strayed from your path, that you rekindle the desire for holiness in the hearts of those priests who have become lukewarm, and that you continue to give your fervent priests the desire for the highest holiness. United with your Heart and Mary’s Heart, we ask that you take this petition to your heavenly Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

14. Lord Jesus, you have chosen your priests from among us and sent them out to proclaim your word and to act in your name. For so great a gift to your Church, we give you praise and thanksgiving. We ask you to fill them with the fire of your love, that their ministry may reveal your presence in the Church. Since they are earthen vessels, we pray that your power shine out through their weakness. In their afflictions let them never be crushed; in their doubts never despair; in temptation never be destroyed; in persecution never abandoned.

Inspire them through prayer to live each day the mystery of your dying and rising. In time of weakness, send them your Spirit, and help them to praise your heavenly Father and pray for poor sinners. By the same Holy Spirit, put your word on their lips and your love in their hearts, to bring Good News to the poor and healing to the brokenhearted. And may the gift of Mary, your mother, to the disciple whom you loved, be your gift to every priest. Grant that she who formed you in her human image, may form them in your divine image, by the power of your Spirit, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

15. O Jesus, Savior of the world, sanctify your priests and seminarians.

16. Lord Our God, in order to govern your people you willed to unite yourself to the ministry of priests. Grant them the grace of accepting your holy will so that, in their ministry and in their life, they may seek only your glory. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

17. O God, give us holy priests to celebrate the Sacrifice of Salvation, to give sinners the consolation of pardon and thirsting souls the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Amen.

18. Lord, grant us many holy priests.

19. Grant us holy priests to console those who suffer, to remind all that we are brothers, to bless our homes, our work, our fields so that your kingdom may extend to all souls.

20. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, grant your Church many holy priests. Queen of the Apostles, pray for us.

21. Lord Jesus, hear our prayer
For the spiritual renewal of priests.
We praise you for giving their ministry to the Church.
In these days, renew them with the gifts of your Spirit.

You once opened the Scriptures
To the disciples on the road to Emmaus.
Now renew your ordained ministers
With the truth and power of your Word.

In the Eucharist, you gave the Emmaus disciples
Renewed life and hope.
Nourish priests with your own Body and Blood.
Help them to imitate in their lives
The death and resurrection they celebrate at your altar.

Give priests enthusiasm for the Gospel,
Zeal for the salvation of all,
Courage in leadership,
Humility in service,
Fellowship with one another
And with all their brothers and sisters in You.

For You love them, Lord Jesus,
And we love and pray for them in Your name. Amen

22. O Jesus, by your most loving heart, I implore you to inflame with zeal for your love and glory all the priests of the world, all missionaries and those whose office it is to preach your word, that on fire with holy zeal, they may snatch souls from the devil and lead them into the shelter of your Heart, where forever they may glorify you.  I especially remember those priests who have absolved me of my sins in the Sacrament of Confession, and those who have given me Your Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity as nourishment for my soul in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist.  Amen.

23. My Dear Jesus, you desire that we pray for zealous laborers in your harvest. Deign to raise up in your Church, and especially in this diocese, numerous holy priests who, taking your Divine Heart as their Model, will, in the exercise of their holy priesthood, promote the glory of your heavenly Father and the salvation of those souls whom you have redeemed with your Precious Blood. Give us truly holy priests who, inflamed with the fire of your Divine love, seek nothing but your greater glory and the salvation of souls.

O Mary, Queen of the clergy, pray for us; obtain for us many holy priests. Amen.

24. Eternal Father,
I lift up to You all the priests of the world.
Sanctify them. Heal and guide them.
Mold them into the likeness and holiness of Your Son, Jesus, the Eternal High Priest.
May their lives be pleasing to You.
In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen

25. 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.
During this Year for Priests, renew in Your priests
deeper faith,
greater trust in You,
childlike reliance on our Mother Mary,
and unwavering fidelity to the Holy Father and your bishops.
Holy Mary, intercede for your priests.
St. Joseph, protect them.
St. Michael, defend them.
St. John Vianney, pray for them.

26. Holy Blessed Trinity, I offer You all my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day.  No matter what little thing I do, I offer it to You for the holiness of priests, for the conversion of priests, for an increase in the number of priests, for seminarians and for priestly vocations.

I give myself this day as an offering for holy priests, in union with the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And in union with the Sacred Body and Blood of Jesus, consecrated daily on all the altars of the world, I make this offering freely, trusting that You will take care of all my needs, spiritual and temporal, for the state in life to which You have called me.

I make this offering through the Immaculate Hands and Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Divine Love, that she might take this imperfect prayer and present it to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who lives and reigns One God for ever and ever.  Amen.

The following prayers are from the Congregation for Clergy
to be said by priests

27. Daily Prayer for Priests

Almighty God, we pray that your grace may assist us in the ministerial priesthood to serve you worthily and devoutly, in complete purity, and in good conscience. And if we are unable to live our lives with such innocence, grant that we weep bitterly over the evil we have done. Grant that we may serve you ever fervently with a spirit of humility, with right intention of good will. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

28. Invocation

O good Jesus, make me a priest after your own Heart.

29. Prayer to Jesus Christ

Most beloved Jesus, with a singular benevolence you have called me from among thousands of men to follow you in the excellence of priestly dignity. I beg you for the divine strength to rightly fulfill my ministry. I implore you, Lord Jesus, to daily renew the grace given to me through the imposition of the hands of the Bishop. O most powerful doctor of souls, heal me so that I may not fall back into evil, that I may flee from every sin, and that I may do what is pleasing in your eyes until the hour of my death. Amen.
Prayer to implore the grace to safeguard chastity

Lord Jesus Christ, spouse of my soul, delight of my heart and my soul, I fall on my knees before you, praying and fervently beseeching you to allow me to persevere and grow in the true faith each day. O sweet Jesus, grant that I may reject all impiety and that I may be a stranger to the carnal desires and earthly concupiscence which fight against my soul. Through your help, may I preserve my chastity unstained.

O most holy and immaculate Virgin Mary, Virgin of virgins and most beloved Mother, purify my heart and soul each day, and obtain for me a holy fear of the Lord and a particular distrust of my own strength.

St. Joseph, guardian of the virginity of Mary, keep my soul from all sin.

All of you holy Virgins who unceasingly follow the divine Lamb, be solicitous to me a sinner, that I may avoid sin in thoughts, words, actions or omissions, and that I may never be far from the most chaste heart of Jesus.

Amen.

30. Prayer for effective priestly witness

Lord, You have called me to priestly ministry
in a particular moment of history,
as in the times of the first Apostles,
when You desire that all Christians,
and in a particular way Your priests,
might be witnesses to the wonders of God
and the strength of Your Spirit.
Allow me to be a witness to the dignity of human life,
to the grandeur of love,
and to the power of the ministry which I have received.
May my entire life be dedicated to You:
for love, only for love, and for a higher love.
May my commitment to celibacy
born of Your mission,
be a joyful and happy affirmation
and a total dedication of myself to others
in the service of Your Church.
Give me strength in my weakness,
and gratitude for my steadfastness.
Holy Mother Mary,
greatest and most wonderful mother of all time,
grant that I may entrust my life to you each day.
Mary, font of generosity and dedication,
grant that I may be joined with you
at the foot of the greatest crosses of the world,
experiencing the redeeming pain of the death of your Son,
so that I might enjoy the triumph of the Resurrection
for eternal life.
Amen

31. Prayer for Priests

Lord Jesus, present in the Most Blessed Sacrament,
and living perpetually among us through Your Priests,
grant that the words of Your Priests may be only Your words,
that their gestures be only Your gestures,
and that their lives be a true reflection of Your life.
Grant that they may be men who speak to God on behalf of His people,
and speak to His people of God.
Grant that they be courageous in service,
serving the Church as she asks to be served.
Grant that they may be men who witness to eternity in our time,
traveling on the paths of history in Your steps,
and doing good for all.
Grant that they may be faithful to their commitments,
zealous in their vocation and mission,
clear mirrors of their own identity,
and living the joy of the gift they have received.
We pray that Your Holy Mother, Mary,
present throughout Your life,
may be ever present in the life of Your Priests.
Amen

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Diocese of Peterborough
Meditation for the Year for Priests

Lord Jesus Christ, our Eternal High Priest, we praise You!
You came into this world as the Word-made-flesh and
made known to us the mystery of the Triune God.
You spoke to us the words of eternal life and
showed us the way to heaven, our true homeland.   
You gave your life for us while we were still sinners,
and now You intercede for us to make us holy.
Lord, Priest and Saving Victim, we praise You!

Lord Jesus Christ, in Your boundless mercy towards us
You continue Your saving mission in this world and
call men to Your service as priests, ministers of Your altar.
You send out each of them – as alter Christus –
to administer and celebrate the sacraments of Your Church,
so that we may be filled with Your grace,
receive forgiveness of sins and so share in Your divine life.
Lord, Priest and Saving Victim, we praise You!

Lord Jesus Christ, You share Your sacred priesthood
with those You have called to be priests of Your Church  
and who offer their lives in humility, holiness and selfless dedication.  
Through obedience, celibacy and devoted prayer 
they live out their vocation and give You glory.
In their trials and temptations help them remain faithful to You,
committed to their sacred duties and joyful in their witness.
Lord, Priest and Saving Victim, we praise You! 

Lord Jesus Christ, You gave St. John Vianney to Your Church
as an outstanding example of priestly life and ministry,
and as a heavenly patron to all pastors of souls.
Through prayer, penance and tireless pastoral zeal
he enflamed hearts with a desire to strive for Christian perfection.
Grant that Your priests may work as he did 
and inspire them to join as exalted a mission as was his.    
Lord, Priest and Saving Victim, we praise You!

Most loving Father, in this Year for Priests,
we give thanks for the gift of the sacred priesthood and
we humbly ask that You bestow an abundance of Your blessings
on all the priests of Your Son and on all new priestly vocations.
Through them, bless the Church and the world with the grace of Your Son,
Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
One God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Diocesan Prayer for the Year for Priests (1)
Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest,

Bless our priests who act in your place:
who teach us your holy ways;
who forgive us our sins;
and who feed us with your Body and Blood in the Eucharist.

Give your priests a deep faith, a firm hope,
and a burning love for your people.
Strengthen them in their joys and sorrows
as they seek to follow You.

From among us, You have called some to be priests.
Help them to embrace their vocation,
and help us to respect and support them
as they find fulfillment in doing your will.

We pray to You, Lord Jesus, with confidence
that you will hear our prayer. Amen.

Diocesan Prayer for the Year for Priests (2)

Lord Jesus, our Eternal High Priest, we praise You!
You became man and called us friends.
You taught us Truth and spoke of True Life.
You offered the most holy and living sacrifice:
Your Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity
for the life of the world.
You intercede for us with the Father
even though we are sinners.
Lord, Priest and Saving Victim, we praise You!

Lord Jesus, out of love for humanity
You call men to your service as priests,
and send each – as alter Christus – to save us.
The graces you offer through them are undeserved,
and our restored friendship to you is precious.
In forgetting themselves, your priests offer
your love, grace, and forgiveness.
Most importantly, they offer You.
Lord, for the gift of the priesthood, we praise You!

Lord Jesus, in living for You and your Gospel
your priests endure temptations and trials.
Grant them the grace to remain faithful to You.
Through obedience, celibacy, and prayer
may they lead your flock by word and works.
Continue to call men to the priesthood;
may their hearts be open to your will,
and may your people be ever supportive.
Lord, for the self-sacrifice priests emulate, we praise You!

Lord Jesus, You gave St. John Vianney to your Church:
a devoted priest, and man of holiness.
In loving You, he served your Church with joy,
and continues to lead us to Heaven.
Grant your priests the grace to live as he did:
dedicated to giving You glory and saving souls;
focused on prayer, penance, and Sacraments;
and always striving for Christian perfection.
Lord, for the example of St. John Vianney, we praise You!

Most loving Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit
and through the intercession of St. John Vianney,
Bless your Church this Year for Priests.
We ask this through Christ, Our Lord.

Amen.

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Resources Available at the St. Therese of Lisieux Library (VEYO Centre)

Web Sites

• USCCB Resources

• Our Sunday Visitor Resources

• Official Site of the Shrine of St. John Vianney

• Year for Priests Rosary

• Vatican Resources and Documents

• Roman Catholic Vocations Blog

• Congregation for Clergy - Year for Priests Web Site

• VEYO Link: Messages of the Holy Father

• VEYO Link: Homilies, Talks, and Presentations

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Events

June 19, 2009: The Year for Priests begins (on the local level) with the Feast of the Sacred Heart.

August 4, 2009, the Feast of St. Jean Marie Vianney: Mass and supper for the priests of the Diocese at St. Jean Vianney Church in Highland Grove.

August 14, 2009: Tribute to the priests of the Diocese at the opening of SONfest ‘09 in Courtice, beginning with supper between 4-5pm, and ending with a special presentation at 8pm.

October 2009: Study Day for the clergy of the Diocese on the Sacred Liturgy in Peterborough with Fr. Neil J. Roy, PhD, STD.

December 2009: Annual Clergy Christmas Luncheon.

January 2010: A Study Day for clergy on priestly spirituality.

March 29, 2010: Solemn Vespers (prior to Mass) and the Chrism Mass.

June 9-11, 2010: International Convention of Priests at the Vatican - event details click:

June 2010: Diocesan pilgrimage to Ars, France: the town where St. John Vianney worked as a priest, and where his incorrupt remains are preserved to this day. Other stops on our five country pilgrimage include: Oberammergau, Germany (famous Passion Play); Munich, Germany; Bregenz, Austria; Geneva, Switzerland; La Salette, France; Lugano Como, Italy.

For more information on this trip please click :: Here ::

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Indulgences

Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has granted special indulgences during the Year for Priests. An indulgence is the removal, either partially or completely, of the temporal punishment a Christian must endure due to his or her sins, which would otherwise have to be completed as penance on earth or in suffering temporarily in purgatory. The individual's guilt in committing these sins (a related but separate matter) must be forgiven beforehand. Then the Church, as "the minister of redemption," grants the gift of an indulgence, which is a dispensation of the merits of Christ and the saints applied to Christians who meet particular requirements (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1471-9).

In order to receive an indulgence as part of the Year for Priests, one must:
1. Make a sacramental Confession,
2. Receive Eucharistic Communion,
3. Pray for the Pope's intentions (at least one Our Father and Hail Mary),
4. In a spirit of complete detachment from sin (including venial sin), do the following:

4.1.1. Priests – Plenary Indulgence
Truly repentant priests who, on any day, devoutly recite at least morning Lauds or Vespers before the Blessed Sacrament, exposed for public adoration or replaced in the tabernacle, and who, after the example of St John Mary Vianney, offer themselves with a ready and generous heart for the celebration of the sacraments, especially Confession, are mercifully granted in God the Plenary Indulgence which they may also apply to their deceased brethren in suffrage.

4.1.2. Priests – Partial Indulgence
Furthermore the Partial Indulgence is granted to priests who may apply it to their deceased confreres every time that they devoutly recite the prayers duly approved to lead a holy life and to carry out in a holy manner the offices entrusted to them.

4.2.1. Lay People - Plenary Indulgence
Granted on: the days in which the Year for Priests begins (June 19, 2009) and ends (June 19, 2010), on the day of the 150th anniversary of the pious passing of St. John Mary Vianney (August 4, 2009), on the first Thursday of the month or on any other day established by the local Ordinaries for the benefit of the faithful.

The Plenary Indulgence is granted to all the faithful who are truly repentant who, in church or in chapel, devoutly attend the divine Sacrifice of Mass and offer prayers to Jesus Christ the Eternal High Priest, for the priests of the Church, and any other good work which they have done on that day, so that he may sanctify them and form them in accordance with His Heart

4.2.2. Elderly, Sick, Housebound - Plenary Indulgence

The Plenary Indulgence will likewise be granted to the elderly, the sick and all those who for any legitimate reason are confined to their homes who, with a mind detached from any sin and with the intention of fulfilling as soon as possible the three usual conditions, at home or wherever their impediment detains them, provided that on the above-mentioned days (see 4.2.1) they recite prayers for the sanctification of priests and confidently offer the illnesses and hardships of their lives to God through Mary Queen of Apostles.

4.2.3. Lay People - Partial Indulgence

Lastly, the Partial Indulgence is granted to all the faithful every time they devoutly recite five Our Fathers, Hail Marys and Glorias, or another expressly approved prayer, in honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to obtain that priests be preserved in purity and holiness of life.

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• Reflections of the Archbishop Secretary, January 15th 2010
  
  
• Message of the Cardinal Prefect, December 2009
  
  
• Reflections of the Archbishop Secretary, Novemner 18th 2009
  
  
• Letter From the Congregation for the Clergy, Oct. 15th 2009
  
  
• Extract from the Homily of Cardinal Cláudio Hummes, 21st September 2009
  
  
• International Meeting for Priests - Rome, June 9 - 11 2010
  
  
• Reflections of the Archbishop Secretary
  
  
• Letter to Permanent Deacons - August 10, 2009
  
  
• Letter of July 15, 2009
  
  
• Letter of August 04, 2009

 

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