Priest's Saturday
by VP
Posted on Saturday May 15, 2021 at 01:00AM in Priests' Saturday
1. The Priest’s Saturday brings about an intimate union between
priests and people. Surely the people will welcome with great joy the
opportunity thus given to co-operate, by prayer and sacrifice, with the
priest in all the work that he does for the parish. They will thus merit
to have, and will efficaciously make, zealous and holy priests.
Experience shows that also the children easily understand the Priest’s
Saturday and enter with joy upon this apostolate.
2. Especially
the sick, the convalescent, and the body disabled. Who are often so
deeply pious and abounding in virtue, will find Priest’s Saturday a
great and apostolic field of holy endeavor and their lonely days will
take on a new and profound significance as they realize that a marvelous
life-work lies open before them. Such unselfish and holy effort in
behalf of priests, such prayers and sacrifices, will yield most glorious
fruits and the world will soon feel the blessed influence of the
Priest’s Saturday.
3. New vocations to the priesthood will be
aroused and fostered, and surely in many a woman’s soul, as she prays
and sacrifices for the sanctification of priests, the hidden wish will
be felt: “ Oh, if I myself might become the mother of a priest!”
4. God grant that all take part in this great “apostolate to the
apostles”! Surely it is a thing most pleasing to God and most fruitful
in blessings here upon earth even as it redounds to the salvation of
countless souls. Spread this idea wherever and whenever you can. Be a
promoter. Get others to spread and promote it. Remember that concern for
the sanctification of priests is most dear to the Sacred Heart of the
Divine Savior and to the Sweet Heart of His Blessed Mother. It is their
concerns. (Tr. W. H. , S.D.S.)
imprimatur: +Paulus Petrus, Epps. Sinus Viridis 22 Jan. 1935. The Salvatorian Fathers.
Give truly holy priests who, inflamed with the fire of Thy divine love, seek nothing but Thy greater glory and the salvation of our souls.
And thou, Mary, good Mother of priests, protect all priests in the dangers of their holy vocation and, with the loving hand of a Mother, also lead back to the Good Shepherd those poor priests who have become unfaithful to their exalted vocation and have gone astray.
Let them ever give us a glowing example of love and fidelity towards Holy Mother Church, towards the Pope, and bishops, and grant that by word and example they may shine as models of every virtue.
Most loving Jesus, bless all their priestly labors and sacrifices! Bless all their prayers and words at the altar and in the confessional, in the pulpit, and in school, in confraternities, and at the bedside of the sick! Protect and preserve them in all dangers from within and from without.
Divine Savior, give to Thy Church priests who abound in true
holiness! Call many good boys and young men to the priestly and
religious state! Aid and sanctify all those who are to become Thy
priests! And to the souls of departed priests grant everlasting rest.
But
to me give a true spirit of faith and humble obedience, in order that
in my pastor I may ever behold the representative of God and willingly
follow all his teachings. Amen
