Prayer for a Blessing on the New Year

O sacred and adorable Trinity,

hear our prayers on behalf of our holy Father the Pope, our Bishops, our clergy,

and for all that are in authority over us.

Bless, we beseech Thee, during the coming year, the whole Catholic Church;

convert heretics and unbelievers;

soften the hearts of sinners so that they may return to Thy friendship;

give prosperity to our country and peace among the nations of the world;

pour down Thy blessings upon our friends, relatives, and acquaintances,

and upon our enemies, if we have any;

assist the poor and the sick;

have pity on the souls of those whom this year has taken from us;

and do Thou be merciful to those who during the coming year

will be summoned before Thy judgment seat.

May all our actions be preceded by Thy inspirations and carried on by Thy assistance,

so that all our prayers and works, having been begun in Thee,

may likewise be ended through Thee. Amen.

~ Prayer found here. ~

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

Catholic Priest Pleads for Chaste, Humble Priests and Religious

Fr. Jeffrey preaches on the need to plead with God for holy priests and religious of today and tomorrow:

"The people of God around the world in the Church have a desperate need today for a new generation of priests, of brothers, of nuns to lead the people of God in holiness, in wisdom, in virtue. All of us have to plead with God the Father that such a generation will rise up. Our very souls depend on it and the soul of humanity.

"...their minds and their hearts have to be the heart and mind of Christ.

"...your family, your friends, your relatives need to be inspired by inspiring priests, nuns, brothers, monks.

You have to think, ultimately what is the greatest need of those I love--and that's the need for Christ.

"...perhaps you could pray that a member of your own family--a son, a daughter, a grandson, a great grandson or granddaughter will hear the Word of God, take it to heart and follow the path of poverty, chastity and obedience in the consecrated service of God's people. What a blessing that would be for you and for all the people of God!"

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

Fr. Vincent Capodanno, American Military Chaplain and Hero

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From the official site for cause of canonization of Servant of God Rev. Vincent R. Capodanno: Information on ordering The Grunt Padre:

"The compelling and beautiful story of Father Vincent R. Capodanno, a Roman Catholic Priest who overcame the world to become a Christ in the true meaning of Radiating Christ. First a Maryknoll missionary serving in Taiwan and Hong Kong, Father Capodanno became a Navy Chaplain and served with the 7th and 5th Marines in Vietnam. In the midst of a battle in 1967, Father Capodanno was wounded several times and was killed while trying to save the life of a fellow servicemen. He received the Medal of Honor posthumously."

~ Previous blog post on Fr. Capodanno ~

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

Catholic Priests Reflect on the Priesthood

This video on the priesthood gives Catholics a look at the priesthood from the perspective of some of the men who live the call in this Year For Priests declared by Pope Benedict XVI. Please say a prayer for the dedicated priests in your parish and around the world.

AN APPEAL FOR ONE HOUR OF EUCHARISTIC ADORATION FOR PRIESTS

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

Fr. James Farfaglia: Reflections on the Catholic Priesthood

While I was pouring myself a hot cup of coffee in the rectory kitchen a number of years ago, a priest friend who lived in the same rectory came through the kitchen, his face beaming with his characteristic joviality. “Come here,” he said,” I need to show you something.” Father had just celebrated his birthday and he had bought himself a little present. As he carefully opened the box he looked at me with the anticipation of a small boy with a new toy and cheerfully said, “Look at this!” What he was showing me was a beautifully stitched corporal and matching altar cloth that he had ordered from a liturgical supply company for his celebration of the Mass. “This new corporal and new altar cloth will remind me to say Mass better and better,” he exclaimed. I was profoundly moved by his words.

Similarly, Pope Paul VI prayed a beautiful prayer each time before he celebrated Mass, “Lord, grant me the grace to celebrate this Mass as if it were my first Mass, my only Mass, and my last Mass.” When I was newly ordained, I mentioned this story to another priest friend who said, “Yes, I know about the Pope’s prayer, but I have changed the wording. Rather than saying as if it were my first Mass, I pray that my Mass will be better than my first Mass.”

How wonderful it is for me to be in the company of Catholic priests who passionately love Jesus, the Church and their vocation to the priesthood!

A few years ago I came across an acquaintance that I had not seen in a long time. We exchanged warm greetings and she asked me how everything was going at my parish. I told her that our new parish was growing. Are you still the only priest over there?” she asked. When I told her that I was, she wondered if I was ever bored with saying many Masses on the weekend. I assured her that everything was wonderful, but I thought to myself, “bored”? I love what I do! I did not want to embarrass my friend, but I wanted to tell her that my biggest problem on Sunday is that each Mass has to come to an end. How could I be bored when I have been called to the Catholic priesthood? Each time I celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, it is as though a new Bethlehem and a new Calvary have become present for me. How could I be bored when I hold Jesus in my sinful and trembling hands?

Married men with children are called “Father” by a select group, their families. As a priest, people call me "Father." I too have been called "Father" by the thousands and thousands of people that I have provided for, nourished, and educated as a priest. It is my vocation to celibate fatherhood that allows me to stretch my heart and give of myself unconditionally with joy and love each day with renewed commitment and dedication.

Our nation needs good fathers, be they heads of families, parishes, or dioceses; furthermore, that they be true and loving men who will live out their vocation. And what is their vocation? It is simply this: love. “A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends” (John 15: 13).

~ Excerpts from Fr Farfaglia's blog post: Today, December 24, I have been a priest for 22 years. ~

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

Rejoice, rejoice! Christ is Born of the Virgin Mary, rejoice!

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

Love Makes the King of Heaven Poor

ITALY'S MOST POPULAR CHRISTMAS CAROL
TU SCENDI DALLE STELLE
Text and Music of Saint Alfonsus Maria de' Liguori

O King of Heaven! from starry throne descending,
Thou takest refuge in that wretched cave:
O God of bliss! I see Thee cold and trembling.
What pain it cost Thee fallen man to save!

Thou, of a thousand worlds the great Creator,
Dost now the pain of cold and want endure;
Thy poverty but makes Thee more endearing,
For well I know 'tis love has made Thee poor;

I see Thee leave Thy Heavenly Father's bosom,
But whither has Thy love transported Thee?
Upon a little straw I see Thee lying;
Why suffer thus? 'Tis all for love of me.

But if it is Thy will for me to suffer,
And by these sufferings my heart to move,
Wherefore, my Jesus, do I see Thee weeping?
'Tis not for pain Thou weepest, but for love.

Thou weepest thus to see me so ungrateful;
My sins have pierced Thee to the very core;
I once despised Thy love, but now I love Thee,
I love but Thee; then, Jesus, weep no more.

Thou sleepest, Lord, but Thy heart ever watches,
No slumber can a heart so loving take;
But tell me, darling Child, of what Thou thinkest.
"I think," he says, "of dying for Thy sake."

Is it for me that Thou dost think of dying!
What, then, O Jesus! can I but love Thee?
Mary, my hope! If I love him too little -
Be not indignant - love him thou for me.

I recently discovered the above beautiful Christmas Carol and translation from this site.

~ CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS TO ALL! ~

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

The Child of Bethlehem and all Children Ask for Love

"The medieval theologian William of Saint Thierry once said that God – from the time of Adam – saw that his grandeur provoked resistance in man, that we felt limited in our own being and threatened in our freedom. Therefore God chose a new way. He became a child. He made himself dependent and weak, in need of our love. Now – this God who has become a child says to us – you can no longer fear me, you can only love me.

"With these thoughts, we draw near this night to the child of Bethlehem – to the God who for our sake chose to become a child. In every child we see something of the Child of Bethlehem. Every child asks for our love. This night, then, let us think especially of those children who are denied the love of their parents. Let us think of those street children who do not have the blessing of a family home, of those children who are brutally exploited as soldiers and made instruments of violence, instead of messengers of reconciliation and peace. Let us think of those children who are victims of the industry of pornography and every other appalling form of abuse, and thus are traumatized in the depths of their soul. The Child of Bethlehem summons us once again to do everything in our power to put an end to the suffering of these children; to do everything possible to make the light of Bethlehem touch the heart of every man and woman. Only through the conversion of hearts, only through a change in the depths of our hearts can the cause of all this evil be overcome, only thus can the power of the evil one be defeated. Only if people change will the world change; and in order to change, people need the light that comes from God, the light which so unexpectedly entered into our night."

~ Pope Benedict XVI, Midnight Mass December 25, 2008 ~

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

The Season of Christmas

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

American Priest Fr. Nelson Baker, Apostle of Charity

The life and ministry of Fr. Nelson Baker is cause for rejoicing. Here is another holy priest, born in Buffalo, New York, to inspire and encourage Americans and all Catholics.

Fr. Baker was ordained a diocesan priest in 1876. For five years he served as Assistant Pastor at Lackawanna, then as curate in Corning, New York (then part of the Buffalo Diocese). In 1882, he was recalled to Lackawanna as Superintendent of the Institution destined to become Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity, with an orphanage, industrial school, home for infants, facilities for unwed mothers, and maternity hospital.

PRAYER FOR CANONIZATION OF SERVANT OF GOD NELSON H. BAKER

"Apostle of Charity"

Lord, you gave us Your Servant Nelson Baker

as an example of service to the poor, homeless, and young.

By "Father Baker's" ardent concern for those in need,

inflame our hearts and lives with compassion for the poor,

justice for the oppressed, hope for the troubled, and courage to those in doubt.

We pray through the intercession of Our Lady of Victory, if it be Your will,

that Your Servant, Nelson Baker, may one day be canonized. Amen.
Glory Be (3 times)

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Information and prayer is from here.

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

St. Josemaria Escriva: Pray for Priests

910 The Church needs priests, and always will. Ask the Blessed Trinity for them each day, through Holy Mary.

—And pray that they may be cheerful, hard—working, effective; that they may be well trained: and that they may sacrifice themselves joyfully for their brothers, without feeling that they are victims.

646 Since you call yourself a Christian, you have to live the Sacred Liturgy of the Church, putting genuine care into your prayer and mortification for priests — especially for new priests — on the days marked out for this intention, and when you know that they are to receive the Sacrament of Order.

964 Pray for the priests of today, and for those who are to come, that they may really love their fellow men, every day more and without distinction, and that they may know also how to make themselves loved by them.

~ St. Josemaria Escriva, excerpts from The Forge, found here.~

AN APPEAL FOR ONE HOUR OF EUCHARISTIC ADORATION FOR PRIESTS

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

The Power and Love of the Eucharist

"The greatest love story of all time is contained in a tiny white Host."

~ Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen ~

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

Pope Benedict XVI: Importance of Eucharistic Adoration

Every time that the priest renews the Eucharistic Sacrifice, in the prayer of consecration he repeats: "This is my Body... this is my Blood".

He says this lending his voice, hands and heart to Christ, who wanted to stay with us and be the heartbeat of the Church. However, after the celebration of the divine Mysteries, the Lord Jesus remains alive in the tabernacle; for this reason special praise is given to him with Eucharistic adoration, as I wished to recall in the recent Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis (cf. nn. 66-69).

Indeed, an intrinsic connection exists between celebration and adoration. In fact, Holy Mass is in itself the Church's greatest act of adoration: "No one eats of this flesh", as St Augustine writes, "without having first adored it" (Enarr. in Ps. 98,9: CCL XXXIX, 1385).

Adoration outside Holy Mass prolongs and intensifies what has taken place in the liturgical celebration and makes a true and profound reception of Christ possible.

In life today, often noisy and dispersive, it is more important than ever to recover the capacity for inner silence and recollection. Eucharistic adoration permits this not only centred on the "I" but more so in the company of that "You" full of love who is Jesus Christ, "the God who is near to us".

May the Virgin Mary, the Woman of the Eucharist, introduce us into the secret of true adoration. Her humble and simple heart was ever pondering the mystery of Jesus, in whom she adored the presence of God and of his redeeming love. May faith in the Eucharistic Mystery, joy in participating in Holy Mass, especially on Sundays, and enthusiasm in witnessing to Christ's immense love grow throughout the Church through her intercession.

~ Excerpts from Angelus Address of Pope Benedict XVI, June 10, 2007 ~

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

Eucharistic Adoration Prayer by St. Alphonsus Liguori

"You ought to ask our Lord for just one thing, to love Him.

All the rest should be thanksgiving."

~ St. Padre Pio ~

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

St. Josemaria Escriva: Respect for Priests

(from the author's preface:) "Read these counsels slowly. Pause to meditate on these thoughts. They are things that I whisper in your ear-confiding them-as a friend, as a brother, as a father. And they are being heard by God. I won't tell you anything new. I will only stir your memory, so that some thought will arise and strike you; and so you will better your life and set out along ways of prayer and of Love. And in the end you will be a more worthy soul."

66 A Priest — whoever he may be — is always another Christ.

67 Though you well know it, I shall remind you again that a Priest is 'another Christ'. And that the holy Spirit has said: 'Nolite tangere Christos meos — do not touch my Christs'.

68 Presbyter — Priest — means, literally, an elderly man. If old age deserves veneration, think how much more you ought to venerate the Priesthood.

69 It shows very little refinement — and great lack of respect — to make fun of a Priest, whoever he is, and whatever the pretext!

70 I repeat: to make fun of a Priest — no matter what the circumstances — is always, at best, a sign of coarseness and poor taste.

74 To love God and not venerate his Priests... is not possible.

75 Like the good sons of Noah, throw the mantle of charity over the defects you see in your father, the Priest.

526 If you have not the highest reverence for the priesthood and for the religious state, it is not true that you love God's Church.

~ St. Josemaria Escriva, excerpts from The Way, found here. ~

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

Sisters of the Cross of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: 112 Years of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration

"He made me see an immense procession of religious women.

It would be the oasis of purity and suffering,

His consolation on this earth.
There He would be adored day and night, exposed in the Eucharist."

~ From Conchita, A Mother's Spiritual Diary ~

There is a small group of nuns that live on the outskirts of Rome, in a house near the Appian Way. At first glance, it might seem that they only carry out simple work but the reality is that they have a greater mission: to worship the Eucharist and to pray for the world 24 hours a day. They are the Sisters of the Cross of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Sister Veronica Angel Lopez, Sisters of the Cross of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
"We take turns to adore the Eucharist throughout the day, each of us prays half an hour in the morning and half an hour in the afternoon, and at night we have one-hour turns. And that's how we cover all 24 hours."

Sister Maria Belen Camargo, Sisters of the Cross of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
"When we are in front of the Eucharist, He transmits to us His divine life, His Trinitarian life and so, in a mysterious way, we contribute to the transformation of the world through Jesus, and especially in the transformation of priests."

Each community prays for a particular priest every year, but all of them pray for the Pope's heart because, as they say, that's where he carries all of the Church's problems.

The nuns say that thanks to their communion with Jesus - that is through a continuous and deep prayer - they've been able to develop an exceptional intuition to perceive the needs and problems of the world.

Sister Elzbieta Sadowska, Sisters of the Cross of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
"Each one of us has a mission, you never know what mission Jesus will give you today, for what He wants you to pray, for which cause on its behalf He wants you to pray. For example: one year you might need to pray for a problem that at that time the world neglects or is simply not interested in. But then your one-year prayer prepares the hearts of the people so that at any given time, they re able to respond to the necessities of others."

Concepción Cabrera de Armida founded the religious Order in Mexico in 1862. She was a wife and the mother of nine children, and at the same time, she led a life of holiness and of devotion to the Eucharist. The Mother Superior of the community in Rome says the founder's life could be an example to today's young girls.

Mother Superior Doris Herrera, Sisters of the Cross of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Her message to young girls is that they should not be afraid of a commitment that is forever, whether in marriage or in religious life. They should dare to make a commitment forever because that's what they are most afraid of today and it's the most beautiful thing that can exist.

The Order of the Cross of the Sacred Heart of Jesus has about 300 women that live in communities in the United States, Spain, Mexico and other countries. In May, they'll celebrate their 112th anniversary of continuous adoration of the Eucharist.

~ From Rome Reports, 5-6-09 ~

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

"The Miracle of Fr Kapaun" Documentary Available Now

"We can surely expect that in our own lives

there will come a time

when we must make a choice

between being loyal to the true faith

or of giving allegiance to something else."

~ Fr. Emil Kapaun ~

Thanks to the Wichita Eagle for videos, photos, testimonies, and more on Fr. Kapaun! The Documentary, "The Miracle of Father Kapaun", can be ordered through them. If you are interested in learning more about Fr. Kapaun, don't miss this site!

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

Prayer for Priest-Shepherds

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.

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

We Are One Body in Christ!

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

The Life of a Priest of Jesus Christ

To live in the midst of the world without wishing its pleasures;
To be a member of each family, yet belonging to none;
To share all sufferings; to penetrate all secrets; to heal all wounds;
To go from men to God and offer Him their prayers;
To return from God to men to bring pardon and hope;
To have a heart of fire for charity and a heart of bronze for chastity;
To teach and to pardon; console and bless always.
My God, what a life! And it is yours, O Priest of Jesus Christ!

~ Father Henri Lacordaire, OP, 1802-61 ~

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

Marino Restrepo: Spiritual Warfare Weapons of Eucharist and Confession

On this penitential Friday of Advent, I present to you the POWERFUL testimony of Marino Restrepo. He speaks about the importance of the Eucharist and Confession as the most powerful weapons of spiritual warfare. He speaks of the power of humility against the devil and how God expects Catholics to use their talents to help those who have not been gifted with the same amount of talents.

About Marino Restrepo:
"He enjoys a very strong support from the authorities of the Catholic Church at home and abroad. He will not do any thing without the consent of the Church first."

Marino says,
"About Me: Marino Restrepo is a Catholic lay missionary from Colombia who travels the world sharing his testimony. Marino was born a Catholic but disregarded his faith at an early age and embraced all the self-seeking illusions of the world. He chose to experience a life of drugs, unhealthy relationships and New Age philosophies. His acting/musical career led him to Hollywood where he was a producer and musician. Marino thought he had it all until a visit home to Columbia in 1997 for Christmas. His sister encouraged him to pray a novena prayer to the baby Jesus. He accepted thinking it would give him an extra ounce of 'good luck'. Following the novena, Marino went on his way to visit his uncle. His visit was short-lived as Marino was kidnapped by guerrilla rebels of the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) and held captive in the jungle for six months. They told him they would kill him once they had received ransom for his kidnap. For 15 days he lay in a cave full of bats and infested with numerous insects and bugs. It was here, in his complete isolation and despair, that Marino had a mystical experience of God. His life changed forever.

"Five and a half months later, Marino was miraculously released from captivity after a miracle of God, and after his release he went back to his Catholic faith. Eighteen months later he became a full time missionary for the Catholic Church leaving all of his past, and his worldly possessions behind."

Marino's complete video testimony:

Marino's official website: here.

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

Why Priests Need a Fervent Prayer Life and Prayerful Intercessors

Thanks to Father Mark Kirby for sharing Cardinal Hummes' December letter to priests that emphasizes the critical importance of the prayer life of priests for a joyful, faith-filled, and fruitful ministry. Following are some of Father Kirby's valuable comments on the topics contained in the letter:

"Yes, a priest who neglects prayer will become weak in faith, joyless, and uncertain of the very things that should be life giving for him. At the origin of every crisis in the life of a priest is a lack of prayer, that is, of conscious surrender to the Friendship of Christ. Nowhere can a priest experience the Friendship of Christ more effectively than in the radiance of His Eucharistic Face. Priests who pray daily, for one hour, before the Blessed Sacrament attest to the purifying, healing, and transforming effect of such prayer on their lives."

"Priests who pray generate communities that pray. A prayerful priest will generate a praying parish. Where priest and people persevere together in prayer, with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the Holy Spirit is poured out in abundance, quickening the life of the Church, and causing the face of the Church to shine with joy even in the midst of great sufferings."

"Surrounding every priest who prays is a community that prays for him and with him. The criticism of priests often leads to sins of rash judgment, defamation, and slander. The temptation to speak ill of a priest can become, in effect, an invitation to pray for him, to fast for him, and to represent him before the Eucharistic Face of Jesus, close to His Open Heart."

For Cardinal Hummes' December letter to priests and more of Father Kirby's comments, click here.

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

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen's Reflections on Pain and Suffering

Today is the thirtieth anniversary of the death of Servant of God Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. Please offer a prayer for his canonization.

Prayer for Canonization

Heavenly Father, source of all holiness, You raise up within the Church in every age men and women who serve with heroic love and dedication. You have blessed Your Church through the life and ministry of Your faithful servant, Archbishop Fulton J Sheen. He has written and spoken well of Your Divine Son, Jesus Christ, and was a true instrument of the Holy Spirit in touching the hearts of countless people.

If it be according to Your Will, for the honor and glory of the Most Holy Trinity and for the salvation of souls, we ask You to move the Church to proclaim him a saint. We ask this prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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

Mary, The Immaculate Conception, Patroness of the USA

When Our Lady of Lourdes appeared to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858, she identified herself by saying, "I am the Immaculate Conception." This title was not understood by Bernadette, a young peasant girl, but correctly understood by the priest who had told her to ask the Lady who she was.

Song to Our Lady of America

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Our Lady of America website

Catholic Tradition's Immaculate Conception Directory

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

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta and Eucharistic Adoration

"The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the best time you will spend on earth. Each moment that you spend with Jesus will deepen your union with Him and make your soul everlastingly more glorious and beautiful in Heaven, and will help bring about everlasting peace on earth."

~ Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta ~

There is a new link on the sidebar that will take you to the Chapel of Divine Love in Philadelphia, Pensylvania where the Most Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration and is available to online visitors live via webcam. What a blessed opportunity this is for those who are unable to visit Jesus at church or chapel, and also for those who are able to make regular visits, but are enabled to visit more often while in their homes because of this website. Please take note of the many devotional prayers conveniently available on the left side of the page next to the live image of the Most Blessed Sacrament exposed in the monstrance.

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

St. Nicholas, Advent, The Greatest Gift

"...Advent is a time for us... to think about the greatest gift of all--Jesus Himself. He's the gift given by God the Father to each of us. He's the gift that keeps on giving of Himself in the Holy Eucharist...Is there enough room for Him in your life this Christmas, or is He taking second place to all those other gifts that cannot last?"

~ Fr. James Kubicki, S.J. ~

Below is Nicholas, a charming music video by Wendy Francisco:

"...St. Nicholas...the name of the Child of Christmas is the name in which he gives."

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

Pope John Paul II: Prayer to the Virgin Mary for Priests

(Reflection for 2/7/09)

PRAYER TO THE VIRGIN MARY FOR PRIESTS

~ Pope John Paul II ~

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 Saviour.

O Mother of Faith, you accompanied to the Temple the Son of Man,
the fulfilment 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.

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

First Fridays: 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

"Love keeps Him there [in the Blessed Sacrament] as a victim completely and perpetually delivered over to sacrifice for the glory of the Father and for our salvation. Unite yourself with Him, then, in all that you do. Refer everything to His glory. Set up your abode in this loving Heart of Jesus and you will there find lasting peace and the strength both to bring to fruition all the good desires He inspires in you, and to avoid every deliberate fault. Place in this Heart all your sufferings and difficulties. Everything that comes from the Sacred Heart is sweet. He changes everything into love."

~ From the Letters of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque ~

TWELVE PROMISES OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

"I promise you, in the excessive mercy of my heart that my all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Friday for nine consecutive months, the grace of final repentance; they shall not die in my disgrace nor without receiving the sacraments; my divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in that last moment."

1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state in life.
2. I will give peace in their families.
3. I will console them in all their troubles.
4. They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of death.
5. I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.
6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.
8. Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.
9. I will bless the homes in which the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and honoured.
10. I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts.
11. Those who propagate this devotion shall have their name written in My Heart, and it shall never be effaced.
12. The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under My displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My Heart shall be their assured refuge at the last hour.

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

Blessed Fr. Francis Seelos: Redemptorist Priest, Missionary, Pastor

"His life and virtues have been approved by the Church as heroic, and he was declared Blessed in the Solemn Jubilee Year of 2000. Beatification is the final step before sainthood. You are kindly urged to pray for his canonization. Perhaps God wills Fr. Seelos' canonization in the foreseeable future, not only because he is so deserving, but because the North American Church is in dire need of a good priestly role model at this point in her history, and because we could use a faithful friend in Heaven who is a sturdy shelter."

~ Fr. Byron Miller, C.Ss.R. ~

O My God, I truly believe You are present with me. I adore Your limitless perfections. I thank You for the graces and gifts You gave to Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos. If it is Your holy will, please let him be declared a saint of the Church so that others may know and imitate his holy life. Through his prayers please give me this favor ... (HERE MENTION YOUR SPECIAL INTENTIONS)

OFFICIAL WEBSITE FOR FR. FRANCIS SEELOS, C.Ss.R.

***

Fr. Seelos' Top Ten Practical Guide to Holiness

5. Also daily, if at all possible, visit the Blessed Sacrament; and toward evening, meditate on the Passion of Christ for a half hour.
***
Family claims cancer cure through intercession of Fr. Seelos.

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

Pope John Paul II and Fr. William Casey: Superficial Preaching

"The greatest obstacle to evangelization in America is superficial preaching."

~ Pope John Paul II ~

God bless Fr. William Casey! A superficial preacher--He is NOT! In his dynamic video he says:

"...I know that there is right now a new generation of young, zealous, orthodox priests and bishops on the rise. They are now making their presence felt in the Church...a small army of new converts...are breathing new life into the Church...Everyone that I have met is on fire for the Catholic faith...The home schooling movement is now gaining momentum...Eucharistic adoration is making a strong comeback, gaining strength. More parishes than ever before have Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration...there is going to be a new evangelization...simply and precisely because God wants it. The Holy Spirit is going to make it happen!...Let's get away from all the negativity, all the defeatism and all the spiritual mediocrity. Let's start lighting the candles and stop cursing the darkness now, right now!

This video was posted by the Fathers of Mercy on July 13, 2009, along with this statement:

BIG PROBLEM IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH! Do the Catholic Church a favor and E-mail this video to every, Bishop, Priest, Deacon, and seminarian you know. For that matter, E-mail it to EVERYONE you know.

***

If you are inclined to send a message to priests, Fr. S has written an encouraging one to share with his brother priests: To My Brother Priests.

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

Catholic Priests of the New Millennium

"I will give you shepherds." (Jer. 3:15): God is the one who chooses priests, but we are given the opportunity to cooperate with God's work through our prayer, sacrifice and actions. May the Lord help us to help those He is calling to ordained priesthood."

~ Francis Cardinal George, OMI, Archbishop of Chicago ~

The following video is 30 minutes long, but well worth watching all or part of it if you want to experience joy and encouragement in witnessing God's providence in providing priests for the new millennium. Read testimonials of several priests about the video here , and if you want to watch it full screen, click here.

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