Today is the Feast Day of St. Jean Vianney, Patron of Priests. This simple,humble priest has been set apart as a special example of priestly holiness and fruitful ministry. He had a special devotion to St. Philomena, attributing all of the miracles worked through him to her. He said, "I have never asked for anything through the intercession of my Little Saint without having been answered."
(On the link for St. Philomena, don't miss under the 'About' column--a very good article, among others, about St. John and his devotion to St. Philomena titled "St. Jean Vianney," and "The Story" of St. Philomena in which she reveals what really happened to her.)
The Feast Day of St. Jean Vianney is a very special day in the life of one spiritual mother of priests--Rita Andrich. Her husband died in 1992 and was buried on the feast of St. Jean Vianney. After her husband's death, Rita read the story of St. John's life, learning about the powerful role that St. Philomena played as intercessor to support him in his priestly ministry. As a result, she was inspired to offer her life for priests and to write the following prayer.
Prayer For Priests Through the Intercession of St. Philomena
We come to you, dear St. Philomena, known as "all powerful with God" and ask your intercession for all of our beloved priests.
Champion of chastity and purity, intercede for them when they are being tempted so that they may remain faithful to their promise of celibacy.
St. John Vianney, patron of priests, asked your help so often
and you pleaded to Jesus for his intentions.
Ask Jesus for us to protect our beloved priests with His Precious Blood
and to keep them safe from the attacks of the evil one.
Oh sweet, St. Philomena,
you were given the grace to stand faithful to Jesus
in the midst of imprisonment, scourging, the blows of arrows,
attempted drowning and finally the cruel death of being beheaded.
Help all priests to stand firm for the truths of the Gospel
and teachings of the Magisterium.
Thank you, St. Philomena, for your intercession.
Help us all to follow your example and to remain faithful
so that we too may reach our Heavenly Home
and join you, St. John Vianney,
and the Communion of Saints as Church Triumphant. Amen.
(by Rita Andrich)
In the years since Rita first offered her life for priests, she has been an active participant and promoter of the Prayer Wheel of Support for Priests. She has helped distribute to priests Venerable Concepcion Cabrera de Armida's book To My Priests--in which Jesus speaks to His priests through confidences given to Venerable Concepcion (currently unavailable). She is eager to share information about the Prayer Wheel of Support for Priests, Spiritual Motherhood for Priests, and the life and writings of Venerable Concepcion and Venerable Felix de Jesus. She can be reached at apostolate4priests@zoominternet.net. God bless Rita for her faithfulness to You and her holy zeal for the spiritual welfare of Your 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.
