Praying for Priests

Priests are pretty awesome. I am just going to say that right now.  Holy men devoting their lives to serving God and ministering to his people. (Like me!)  They have sacrificed their lives to further the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth, and they have a special place in my heart. (If there are any priests reading this right now... You are amazing, and thank you so much for your sacrifices that you make for us.)

I pray for other people all the time; but up until recently, it had never really crossed my mind to pray for priests. I had been praying for those considering the priesthood, and for new vocations, but I had never really thought to pray for the current priests. I don't know why, it wasn't that the thought never came to me, I had heard about it before, but it was something I had never really done. I guess I thought they were all holy or something, and didn't need my prayers.  But thinking about it now, I realize that they are some of the people that need my prayers the most!  Sure, they might seem 'holier' then me, but they are still human. They still struggle, they sometimes stumble, they need our support.

With anyone who tries to further the Kingdom of God, priests are constently under attack by the devil who gives them temptations, and doubts. They need the prayers and support of those around them.  So much emphasis is put on praying for new vocations to the priesthood, which is all well and good, but let us not forget about the priests that are currently giving their lives to God and to us, day in and day out. I've gotten to the habit of when I go to mass, right away before mass starts I thank God for the priest that is presiding that day, and then offer up a short prayer for that priest's intentions.

I was searching one day and I came across this beautiful prayer/poem. I think it's very fitting to this blog post, so I am going to close with it:

A PRAYER FOR PRIESTS

By the late John J Cardinal Carberry

Keep them; I pray Thee, dearest Lord.

Keep them, for they are Thine 

The priests whose lives burn out before

Thy consecrated shrine.

Keep them, for they are in the world,

Though from the world apart.

When earthly pleasures tempt, allure --

Shelter them in Thy heart.

Keep them and comfort them in hours

Of loneliness and pain,

When all their life of sacrifice

For souls seems but in vain.

Keep them and  remember, Lord,

they have no one but Thee.

Yet, they have only human hearts,

With human frailty.

Keep them as spotless as the Host,

That daily they caress;

Their every thought and word and deed,

Deign, dearest Lord, to bless.

God Bless,

Catherine