Every priest, as alter Christus, must imitate Christ, the High Priest, who “has bent down to wash the feet of the disciples (cf Jn 13:5) before dying on the Cross and before sending them out to the whole world” (cf Jn 20:21). This act of love exemplified by Christ is to be perpetuated and continued through the ministry of the ministerial priesthood through which “the Lord continues to accomplish among his people the work which as Head of his Body belongs to Him alone. Thus, the ministerial priesthood renders tangible the actual work of Christ, the Head, and gives witness to the fact that Christ has not separated Himself from his Church; rather He continues to vivify her through his everlasting priesthood.” It is this reason that the ministerial priesthood as a gift given to the Church through the ministry of some “set apart” few by the grace of ordination that the salvific mission of Christ conferred to the Apostles continuously manifested in the Church through the Bishops and their successors and collaborators, the priests. Priests, then, are likewise ministers of love.
PRAYER FOR ALL PRIEST AS WE CELEBRATE THE PRIESTHOOD DAYHeavenly Father,
We thank You for the gift of our Catholic priests,who serve as shepherds of Your Church,guiding us in faith, hope, and love. Through their hands, we receive Your sacraments; through their words, we hear Your Gospel and through their hearts, we experience Your mercy Bless them with strength in their labors, joy in their ministry, and holiness in their walk with You.
Shield them from discouragement, sustain them in trial and renew their zeal for Your glory and the salvation of souls. May we always honor, support, and pray for them as they lead us closer to You.
I make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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