Friday Litany: Litany for Priests

It is the year of the priesthood, our diocesan newspaper was just all about Dallas priests, and we are coming into a time of the liturgical year when they are busy and tired. Hopefully, in the midst of that they will also be renewed. A long one but a good one, from that wonderful spot to find a litany that hits the spot.

Litany for Priests

Let us pray for the Holy Father:
fill him with courage and grace, Lord.

Cardinals, archbishops, and bishops:
give them a shepherd's heart, Lord.

Diocesan priests:
fill them with your Spirit, Lord.

Priests in religious orders:
perfect them in their calling, Lord.

Priests who are ill:
heal them, Lord.

Priests who are in danger:
deliver them, Lord.

Priests who are weak:
strengthen them, Lord.

Priests who are poor:
relieve them, Lord.

Priests who have lost their zeal:
renew them, Lord.

Priests who are sad:
console them, Lord.

Priests who are worried:
give them peace, Lord.

Priest who are old:
sustain them, Lord.

Priests who are alone:
accompany them, Lord.

Missionary priests:
protect them, Lord.

Priests who are preachers:
enlighten them, Lord.

Priest who direct souls:
instruct them, Lord.

Priests and religious who have died:
bring them to glory, Lord.

For all priests:
give them Your wisdom and knowledge.

For all priests:
give them Your understanding and counsel.

For all priests:
give them reverence and awe of You.

For all priests:
give them patience and love.

For all priests:
give them obedience and kindness.

For all priests:
give them a burning zeal for souls.

For all priests:
give them virtues of faith, hope and love.

For all priests:
give them an intense love for the Eucharist.

For all priests:
give them loyalty to the Holy Father and their Bishops.

For all priests:
give them respect for life and human dignity.

For all priests:
give them integrity and justice.

For all priests:
give them humility and generosity.

For all priests:
give them strength in their labors.

For all priests:
give them peace in their sufferings.

For all priests:
give them great love for the Trinity.

For all priests:
give them great love for Mary.

For all priests:
let them be the light of Christ.

For all priests:
let them be the salt of the earth.

For all priests:
let them practice sacrifice and self-denial.

For all priests:
let them be holy in body, mind and spirit.

For all priests:
let them be men of prayer.

For all priests:
may faith shine forth in them.

For all priests:
may they be concerned for our salvation.

For all priests:
may they be faithful to their priestly vocation.

For all priests:
may their hands bless and heal.

For all priests:
may they burn with love for you.

For all priests:
may all their steps be for the glory of God.

For all priests:
may the Holy Spirit fill them,
and give them His gifts in abundance.

Let us pray.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
hear the prayers we offer for our priests.
Let them know clearly the work that You are calling them to do.
Grant them every grace to answer Your call with courage,
love, and lasting dedication to Your will.
We ask Mary's intercession as their loving mother.

Amen.

May God, who has begun this good work in you, now bring it to fulfillment

Via Deacon Greg. And, yes, I cried.

UPDATE
The Anchoress didn't cry but instead had some very uplifting thoughts which she shared with us. Go and read.

The Year of the Priest

Pope Benedict XVI has declared a “Year for Priests” beginning with the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 19, 2009. The year will conclude in Rome with an international gathering of priests with the Holy Father on June 19, 2010.

With the announcement of this Year for Priests, the Pope has declared St. John Vianney the Universal Patron of Priests on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of the Curé d’Ars.

USCCB website where you will find many great resources
including prayer card pdfs with icon

From Pope Benedict XVI's letter to clergy, which I found both touching and inspirational:

I still treasure the memory of the first parish priest at whose side I exercised my ministry as a young priest: he left me an example of unreserved devotion to his pastoral duties, even to meeting death in the act of bringing viaticum to a gravely ill person. I also recall the countless confreres whom I have met and continue to meet, not least in my pastoral visits to different countries: men generously dedicated to the daily exercise of their priestly ministry. Yet the expression of Saint John Mary also makes us think of Christ’s pierced Heart and the crown of thorns which surrounds it. I am also led to think, therefore, of the countless situations of suffering endured by many priests, either because they themselves share in the manifold human experience of pain or because they encounter misunderstanding from the very persons to whom they minister. How can we not also think of all those priests who are offended in their dignity, obstructed in their mission and persecuted, even at times to offering the supreme testimony of their own blood?

There are also, sad to say, situations which can never be sufficiently deplored where the Church herself suffers as a consequence of infidelity on the part of some of her ministers. Then it is the world which finds grounds for scandal and rejection. What is most helpful to the Church in such cases is not only a frank and complete acknowledgment of the weaknesses of her ministers, but also a joyful and renewed realization of the greatness of God’s gift, embodied in the splendid example of generous pastors, religious afire with love for God and for souls, and insightful, patient spiritual guides. ...

It was, perhaps, timely, that this morning after Mass I wound up in conversation with our priest. We conversed upon many subjects but the one foremost in my mind was about a very sad situation and funeral in our parish. It makes one reflect deeply upon the Book of Job. When I think of how many times Fr. L. must help families through situations about which we know nothing, in our protected innocence, then I thank God that he has sent good men among us.

Fr. L. would remind us that he also gets to see many moments of joy and also of people being good to each other which we never witness. That makes me think of the young men who are discerning if this is the path God has for them ... to be shepherds for us, to be there for comfort in bad times, and to celebrate with us in good times.

These things are good to reflect upon and the Year of the Priest that is beginning is a wonderful way to keep them in mind. It will help me to remember to always pray for our priests and for vocations.