The Year for Priests
On Friday, June 19, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI declared the coming year a Jubilee Year for Priests. The Holy Father marked the occasion by sending a letter to the priests of the world. He begins by noting that the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus has been "traditionally devoted to prayer for the sanctification of the clergy," in part because of its connection to the Feast of Corpus Christi (the Feast of the Sacred Heart is celebrated on the octave, or eighth day, of Corpus Christi). It is through priests, of course, that the Body and Blood of Christ are made present to us in the Mass.
This year is also the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Mary Vianney, and Pope Benedict devotes much of the letter to holding up his life as an example for all priests. St. John Mary was passionate in his desire to lead souls to Christ, and he did so through cultivating their love for the Blessed Sacrament and for the Sacrament of Confession. The Holy Father notes that
Priests ought never to be resigned to empty confessionals or the apparent indifference of the faithful to this Sacrament. In France, at the time of the Cure of Ars, confession was no more easy or frequent than in our own day, since the upheaval caused by the [French] revolution had long inhibited the practice of religion. Yet he sought in every way, by his preaching and his powers of persuasion, to help his parishioners to rediscover the meaning and beauty of the Sacrament of Penance, presenting it as an inherent demand of the Eucharistic presence.
St. John Mary understood that the salvation of his parishioners was intimately connected to his own, and he even, as Pope Benedict notes, often performed penance on their behalf. Therefore, it is entirely appropriate that this holy priest is the patron saint of priests, and that he be offered as an example in a year "meant to deepen the commitment of all priests to interior renewal for the sake of a more forceful and incisive witness to the Gospel in today's world."
While the Holy Father's letter is meant for his fellow priests, the faithful should read it as well, and we should keep all priests, especially those who serve our parish, in our prayers in a special way throughout the coming year.
St. John Vianney died on August 4, 1859. Hence his feast day on August 4.
My home archdiocese on Milwaukee had the largest class of new priests in about 15-20 yrs. Thanks be to God and hopfully it’s the start of a trend.
I think generally priests need to stress how liberating a good confession can be. Remember, God knows you better than you yourself do. It’s all to benifet you!
Lee, you’re right. Silly mistake on my part. I’ve edited the text to correct the error.
Does the Pope realize that in the US it is illegal to require HIV tests for potential priest candidates before accepting them into the candidacy for priesthood? You CANNOT rule out an individual for priesthood based on his HIV status. Today HIV is chronically manageable disease and has a life expectancy to that of those who don’t have HIV. I think it is a sin to limit the potential (and the calling of God) of a candidate because they have a chronic illness. My God, is this the middle ages? Individuals with HIV today who feel the call to priesthood are the modern day lepers. Its a disgrace and disgusting in my opinion. Would Christ turn someone away from ministry because of an illness? Who is to say the illness is divine intervention to all the potential priest to be called to life working with those afflicted with HIV.
Jeff
Indiana
Jeff, Well put!
Jeff, I have no idea what you’re talking about. Is there a news story that illustrates your point?