The Curé d'Ars Prayer Group

The Curé d'Ars Prayer Group

For the bishop and priests of the Raleigh, NC Diocese.

Devotions

"In the Canon of the Mass, we pray for the Pope and Bishop by name. These are indications to show, not only the love and respect we have for our priests, but also awareness of their need for our prayers. Our prayers are of importance (to the devil as well as to us) because Our Lord has chosen them to carry on in a special way, the work of redemption. In a certain sense, all the baptized have priestly character. They are members of the Mystical Body of Christ, our High Priest. With Him, they offer the Sacrifice of the Mass. They not only offer Christ the Victim but, with Him, they offer themselves, for their own sanctification and for the salvation of souls. But only those ordained in Holy Orders have the power to stand at the altar and, in the name of Jesus, consecrate host and chalice. Our priests have been ordained to do this, and to administer the Sacraments of Christ to men, God has specially commissioned them to preach the Gospel. A bishop in his diocese and a pastor in his parish have tremendous responsibilities touching on the sanctity of those in their care. Without their ministration, souls would find it hard indeed to make their way to God. The work which these ordained men do is spiritual. It does not depend so much on their physical strength or even upon their intellectual acumen. What matters most is the holiness of Christians ministers, their fitness as instruments in the hands of Our Lord."

--Priests need prayers, too by Rev. Thomas H. Moore, S.J. (The Catholic Standard and Times, Volume 65 Number 29, 8 april 1960)


Prayer of Intercession for Priests (Apostleship of Prayer)

O God, who didst love Thine only begotten Son from all eternity, and didst will Him to become at once the Great High Priest and the Saving Victim for the sins of the whole world, pour forth Thy holy Spirit, we beseech Thee, upon Thy servants, the priests of His Holy Church, and grant that in these days of tribulation there may be a great increase in the number and sanctity of vocations to the holy office of the priesthood, and a growing fervor on the part of all those who offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and minister to the care of souls.

O Jesus, our Great High Priest, may all the love and help and merciful compassion of Thy Sacred Heart be with Thy Priests in their life and work, especially in the sacred ministry of the altar! Graciously accept our prayers and communions in union therewith, and grant to Thy priests who have departed this life everlasting rest and the reward of their labors for the salvation of souls.

Grant these our prayers, O Father, for the sake of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. O Jesus, Eternal Priest, keep these Thy servants within the shelter of Thy Sacred Heart!

Apostleship of Prayer

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