Prayer for Priests

Essentially the Prayer from the Diocese of Vancouver

I have posted this originally over at my personal blog Freedom Through Truth, but it is appropriate that we remember Fr. Sam and all faithful priests in this year and forever more, as they seek to do God's will in their own lives and to help those to whom they minister to do the same.

Father Tim Moyle has published a prayer for priests that was issued in the Diocese of Vancouver, but has added the last full paragraph to it.  He became aware of this prayer through the National Post's Holy Post blog, and through a series of comments made to a particular post on the blog.  As a result of the discussion, he submitted that prayer with the additional paragraph.  He then posted it on his own site, with this request:

I commit to offering this prayer ever day before I celebrate mass as I ask you as reader to do the same. We priests are very much in need of every spiritual weapon at our disposal in these evil times.

Our priests are on the front line of the faith, and a not insignificant number of them have fallen victim to the wiles of the devil, which makes them proportionally a lot like the rest of us.  As shepherds of the flock, they have taken on an inordinate responsibility, one that can not be handled just with mortal strength, but which requires divine intervention and mediation for success.  

It should be our privilege to pray for our priests, and so I offer you the prayer that Father Tim is praying:

“God our Father, look with mercy and love upon those your Son has chosen to be ministers of your Word and Sacraments, and ardent but gentle shepherds of your flock.

As spiritual fathers of those entrusted to their care, keep them faithful in obedient service to you. Enkindle in our priests the fire of your love, so that they will seek nothing but your greater glory and the salvation of souls.

We pray that Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary, will wrap her mantle around our priests, draw them closer to your heart day by day and inspire many young men to answer your call.

May God’s mercy and justice be made manifest in their commitment to protect those under their care, to punish any who would betray their flock, and to minister with a shepherd's compassion those wounded in their care.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord.  Amen.

St. John Vianney, pray for us.”