Servants of Christ Priest: Lives Offered for the Sanctification of Priests

We offer our life as a continuous offering for the personal sanctification of all priests of the Holy Catholic Apostolic Roman Church...

The Servants of Christ the Priest is a new foundation of Catholic religious family, with all the difficulties that has a new foundation, in existence for two years in the Diocese of Porto - Portugal, with a canonical process for approval of the Statutes of the Community course. This new foundation has the charisma and intended to promote dignity of the liturgy, parishes and religious communities that do not sing the Divine Office, forming and helping the people of God for the worthy celebration of the praise due to the Blessed Trinity. + You who love the God, look upon those who work in establishing the kingdom of Christ! This new religious family needs your help! + All the work of God, born of His holy will, and grow by the Brothers of Charity. We, the Servants of Christ the Priest, despite the great desire to serve Christ in all of our being, we can not do it for lack of physical and economic conditions. Thanks to the glorious action of Divine Providence, we have place for our first convent, however, we need material for our Chapel and all aid is welcome. We still need a wood stove, dishwasher, beds, etc., so we implore the Holy Trinity that touch the hearts of all our brothers in Christ, so that with everyone's help, we can bring to fruition, this work of God started in us. For our part, we will continue to say YES - FIAT, as the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother, Patroness and Queen, with the title of Holy Mother Church, so that, like her, regardless of the difficulties and obstacles, can deliver us all day, those who in His infinite mercy, has delivered us from darkness, and called us into his marvelous light. You, dear brother, dear sister, you read this letter, if God calls you to work with him, asking you what He Himself has given you, you respond to His holy calling, for this cause by sharing the little they have not forgetting, which is never how much is it that pleases God, but the joy of doing, and, in the person of the brothers, serve the Lord Christ himself. We hope that very soon, we can arrange a ride-living, our small and very dear convent, so that everyone can see for themselves the place that He, in His infinite goodness, has prepared in order The radicalism of the total serving a life consecrated to Him and delivered, to the salvation of souls and the sanctification of his priests. * This community lives in Providence and love of the brothers committed and faithful to Jesus Christ ... * * Help this work God to grow and multiply! * * Be a Patron of the Work of God! * * May the Lord Almighty, the reward at 100 for 1! * + Come, ye blessed of my Father! + Servants of Christ the Priest Street Tristan Vaz Teixeira, 97, 2 TC 4435-494 RIO TINTO PORTUGAL@ general servosdecristo priest . com +351 22 4881348 (Translation by Google)

~ From Servants of Christ Priest ~

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.

Invitation to Join the Handmaids of the Precious Blood in Strengthening Priests

“In strengthening the priest you strengthen the whole Church....

Strengthen the priest and you strengthen the whole foundation,

you strengthen everything in the Church.”

“He who would truly honor the priesthood must do so by helping priests.
I would rather have a hand in getting one priest back to the altar of God
than to write a thousand books on the priesthood,
or to preach a million sermons on the glory of the priesthood,
for neither the sermons nor the books
can hold Christ in their hands and offer Him to the Father.”

~ Fr. Gerald Fitzgerald, s.P.,  Founder Handmaids of the Precious Blood ~

From Handmaids of the Precious Blood:

Our spirit is that of unbounded love of Jesus Christ in His Priests. All that we do, in union with and in imitation of the Precious Blood, is directed so that priests be holy priests. We offer ourselves in immolation and reparation for all priests, particularly for those who have lost sight of their sublime calling, praying for the grace of their conversion. We sacrifice our lives completely for the souls of priests, mindful of the vast numbers of souls just one priest can influence in his lifetime.

About our External Prayer Apostolates:

Did you know that since we began the Lay Associates of the Priesthood, we have registered more than 29,500 people who have adopted a particular priest to pray for? But currently there are over 40,000 priests in the United States and we need more volunteers willing to pray for them. Any practicing Catholic can send us their mailing address and be assigned their own priest to pray for daily.

We Invite Everyone to Join us in Strengthening the Priest

One does not need to be a nun to offer every aspect of one’s life for the sanctification of God’s anointed ones. Anyone can pray and sacrifice for priests, which is why we began our prayer associations to allow those outside our cloister to join us in spirit before Our Lord in the Monstrance praying for His priests.

Lay Associates of the Priesthood

Lay Associates of the Priesthood spiritually adopt a priest to pray for anonymously by first name. The Association of lay men and women began in February of 1971 and it has since registered well over 29,500 members. There are no meetings, fees, or dues. Just daily prayer for a specific priest.

Confraternity of Mary, Mother of Priests

The Confraternity of Mary, Mother of Priests welcomes priests, religious, and deacons to also spiritually adopt their own priests. The Confraternity is structured similarly to the Lay Associates: no meetings, fees or dues. Just daily prayer for a specific priest.

Oblates of the Precious Blood

Begun under the guidance of the Servant of God Father John A. Hardon, S.J. on the Feast of Corpus Christi, June 21, 1981, the Oblates of the Precious Blood program was founded to allow priests, religious, deacons, and laity to more closely affiliate themselves with the mission and spirit of the Handmaids of the Precious Blood. Oblates of the Precious Blood bind themselves to our apostolate of prayer and sacrifice for priests by willingly committing themselves to lives completely dedicated to God, doing everything out of love for God and for the sanctification of priests. From their homes, their families, their work, their rectories, their dioceses, their missions, their hermitages, and their cloisters they reach out spiritually to priest souls in need, offering every joy and sorrow, all pain and suffering to God in love on behalf of priests. They dedicate themselves to learning the spirituality of our Founder, Father Gerald Fitzgerald, s.P. and give themselves in a lifelong resolution to live for God alone. Candidates undergo a formation period by correspondence conducted from our Motherhouse in New Mexico before making a private Solemn Resolution of Love. The Oblates are not a third order and members of third orders may apply for candidacy. World wide, there are at present over 420 Oblates of the Precious Blood.

~ For more information, go the the Handmaids of the Precious Blood website ~

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.

Oblate Sisters of Christ Priest: Prayer and Sacrifice for Priests and Seminarians

Many people think that contemplative life belongs to the ancient times: Carmelites, Franciscans, Jesuits… they all have a long history within Church. Nevertheless, God, not only continues to call many others to a total and exclusive dedication but, He also continues to entrust some persons with the high mission of founding new communities according to the needs of his Church. That was the case of José María García Lahiguera and Maria del Carmen Hidalgo de Caviedes y Gómez, a bishop and a young lady who lived in the Spanish XX century.

20 July 1936. Spanish Civil War. A 23 years-old young lady is praying at the church of Capuchins before the celebration of the Holy Mass. Bombing at the "Barracks de la Montaña", Madrid. Bombs, explosions; in view of an imminent threat, the nuns try to find their chaplain all over the place so that they can go to confession. The young lady is seeking the priest but she is not able to find him. Right then, she strongly understands the vital role of priests within the Church, their irreplaceable mission of reaching souls in God’s plan of salvation. In front of the temple’s altar that looked threatening to fall down, this young lady, inspired by the Holy Spirit, offered her life to God for the priests. That young lady was named MªCarmen Hidalgo de Caviedes y Gómez.

Just a few months before (9 March 1936), José María García Lahiguera -Spiritual Director of the Minor Seminary- writes in his spiritual notes:

"And as sanctity is an act from grace, and this is reachable through prayer, there is an urgent and imperative need to embark on a crusade “Pro Sacerdotio” based on prayer and sacrifice. (…). But, since we are talking about something permanent and stable as priesthood is, the sacrifice for their sanctity has to be uninterrupted; this is not reachable if work is addressed or encourages only one person. I do think that it is necessary to pray to our Lord in order to determine whether it is convenient to start to think about the foundation of a religious cloistered order of nuns, whose main aim -not to say exclusive- shall be prayer and sacrifice for youth and seminarians and, whose distinctive shall be: the three vows of poverty, chastity and obedience; public, official and solemn offering (...) to be victims for priests and seminarians." (Free translation)

***

“The soul of the Oblate shall go beyond the wall of her monastery and cut through the seas until the last corner in earth with the same love as Christ is present, with His same Redemptory Love...And that lost missionary, unknown in his mission; that unappreciated priest; other who is in danger; the one who is full of expectations but without opportunities; (…) All that world of priests, man among men, segregated to be another Christ where He may deposit His own power. What does the Heart of Christ feel? He made them “another He” and only Christ shall be their life and exigency...They have to be in the world but being of God; they have to give themselves to the souls keeping their permanence only in God. That world of danger, fight, difficulties, temptation, pressure, undefined road….”

~ Mother María del Carmen ~

~ All text from the Oblate Sisters of Christ Priest website)

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.

Mother Teresa Casini: A League of Priests to Make Amends for Unfaithful Priests

"I will make the priestly spirit blossom in those dioceses where there is a small nucleus of priests to console my heart, to satisfy the justice of my divine Father, and to make amends for the harm done to souls by their unfaithful shepherds. According to their fervor I will unite them to my heart, filling them with charity and apostolic zeal; I will bless their undertakings and give them the grace to penetrate souls with the unction of their words and lead their brothers back to my heart. I will be their support in life, in temptation, and in spiritual conflict, and I will be near at the time of death; I will comfort them and unite them to my infinite love."

"I desire a League of Priests united in the single purpose of charity to offer themselves with Me as victims of expiation to My Divine Father, for those of the clergy unfaithful to their sublime vocation."

~ Jesus to Mother Maria Teresa Casini, Foundress of the Oblate Sisters of the Sacred Heart ~

"On December 8, 1884 the Divine Redeemer manifested Himself again to me. He showed me His pierced Heart and asked me to share in His suffering so that I might console Him. Then He added '... this pain is inflicted on my Heart by those priests who, forgetful of their sacred character, offend my heavenly Father with their infidelity.'"

"These desires of the Heart of Jesus remained impressed on my heart, nor could time erase them. I understand clearly that every priest, "ex officio" is a victim with Christ; but I have always felt that a league of priests who, over and above the call of duty, could become Victims of Expiation in union with the Heart of Christ for their unfortunate brother priests, would be most compatible with their priestly character of victimhood; the Heart of Christ would be satisfied; and He would pour into these priestly souls His merciful graces. Many times these graces are held back precisely because such graces are not granted except at the high cost of sacrifices of expiation. If only there were a small group of such priests in every diocese according to the desire of the Heart of Christ, certainly priests would return to their former fervor and persevere. In my heart there was the constant conviction that the desires of the Divine Redeemer would be fulfilled. How? When? By whom? I do not know, nor do I desire to know. " (Source of quotes)

~ Mother Maria Teresa Casini ~

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.

Oblate Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: Lives Offered for Priests

"Give Me holy priests."

~ Jesus to Venerable Mother Maria Teresa Casini ~

Foundress of the Oblate Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The Oblate Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus were founded by Mother Teresa Casini in Grottaferrata, Italy on February 2, 1894. They are women who strive to attain union with God by offering their lives for the diocesan priesthood. Their special charism is both spiritual and ministerial. The sisters are called first of all to pray for priestly holiness and to offer the joys and sorrows of their lives for the good of priests. Ministerially, the sisters care for retired and convalescent priests and collaborate with them in parish ministry which includes teaching, directing religious education, hospital visitation and distribution of the Eucharist to the homebound.  (Source)

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.

New USCCB Website: For Your Vocation

This new website is an initiative of the Bishops of the United States, and is meant to be a resource for men and women in discernment, as an aid for promoting a vocation culture within the home, and a range of tools for educators, youth leaders and vocation directors. Vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life are tremendous and essential gifts to the Church, and it is the bishops’ desire that their two goals for this initiative are achieved:

To help individuals hear and respond to the call by God to the priesthood or consecrated life,

and

To educate all Catholics on the importance of encouraging others through prayer
and activities to promote vocations.

For Your Vocation website

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.

Bl. Mary Magdalene of the Incarnation: Foundress, Perpetual Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament

From the Vatican website:

"Caterina Sordini was born on 16 April 1770 at Grosseto, Italy, the fourth of nine children born into a deeply Catholic family. When she was 17 her father arranged for her to marry a maritime merchant. At first she was against it, but later complied with her father's wishes. The young man gave her a casket of jewels and, having adorned herself, turned to admire her reflection in the mirror but saw the image of the Crucified Christ who asked: "Do you want to leave me for another?"

"She took the question seriously and in February 1788 visited the Franciscan Tertiary Monastery in Ischia di Castro. Caterina entered then and there, thus shocking her father who had thought it was merely a visit. She was clothed six months later, taking the name of Sr Mary Magdalene of the Incarnation.

"On 19 February 1789, she fell into ecstasy and saw a vision of "Jesus seated on a throne of grace in the Blessed Sacrament, surrounded by virgins adoring him" and heard him telling her: "I have chosen you to establish the work of perpetual adorers who, day and night, will offer me their humble adoration...". Thus, she was called to become a foundress and to spend her life adoring Jesus in the Eucharist. In that turbulent period for the Church she set an example to all."

A recent article from the Catholic Anchor, the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Anchorage, Alaska, tells of a small community of Sisters of Perpetual Adoration who follow their foundress in a life of perpetual Eucharistic adoration:

They are members of the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, a cloistered religious order that was first established in 1807 in France by Blessed Mary Magdalene of the Incarnation. The order operates 85 monasteries worldwide — all are dedicated to the perpetual adoration of the Eucharistic Christ.

Focused on Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, each nun spends her life praying and sacrificing for the good of the church and the salvation of souls.

The religious order locates its monasteries in cities in order to provide people access to the Blessed Sacrament for veneration. So, the Anchorage monastery’s chapel is open to the public every day, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., for Eucharistic adoration. Visitors kneel adoring Christ in the consecrated host, exposed in a large, bronze monstrance, while in another section of the chapel, the nuns take turns in adoration from behind the cloister grille.

But even while performing daily chores or praying elsewhere in the monastery the nuns strive to continually focus on the Blessed Sacrament.

“I like to always stay before the Blessed Sacrament in my mind or body,” explained Mother Maria.

That means constant communication with God every day — while she is waking at 5:15 a.m., reciting the Divine Office and rosary with the congregation, resting in her cell, and reading the pope’s statements in L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper.

Mother Maria believes those outside the monastery walls can pray in a similar way.

“Think of God and want what he wants,” she urged. “God is center” at the monastery, she added, but “we all have the same center – God.”

~ Read the entire article from Catholic Anchor here. ~

~ Visit the Anchorage Sisters of Perpetual Adoration 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.

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.