Year of the Priest

Today, the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, begins the Year of the Priest, inspired by the Holy Spirit and declared by Pope Benedict XVI. It is meant to be a special year for the spiritual growth of priests through the intensification of their own prayer life and with the prayer support of the rest of the faithful. It is a year to celebrate and appreciate God's gift of the Catholic priesthood and the multitude of faithful, dedicated priests serving in all corners of the world. It is a year to let priests know of our appreciation and our support and to be generous in our prayers, sacrifices, and Eucharistic adoration for all priests.

Today is also the annual World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests, established in 2002 by Pope John Paul II and decreed to be observed every year on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

In addition, the Congregation for the Clergy, with the blessing and encouragement of Pope Benedict XVI, is specifically asking for Eucharistic adoration for priests for the purpose of their sanctification, for reparation, and for vocations to the priesthood. Their goal is to have prayer before the Blessed Sacrament for priests at every hour of the day and night all over the world, including prayers of intercession to the Blessed Virgin Mary for the success of this initiative.

The Holy Spirit is being very clear in His continued calls for spiritual support for priests. His calls echo what Jesus said to Venerable Concepcion Cabrera de Armida, "...I want souls who are dedicated with fervor, with determination and without looking for rest, to plead day and night for My priests."

I dedicate this site to Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, with the hope of being an instrument to draw souls to His Eucharistic Heart on behalf of His beloved priests. Realizing that we can't have even one good thought without God's grace, I am relying on the Holy Spirit to inspire and guide me. I entrust these pages to the Holy Spirit and to Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament who is an expert at leading her other children into closer union with her Son, Jesus Christ.

Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, Mother of all priests, and our Mother, help us to respond generously to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of His Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests. Amen.