Why did the Holy Father choose this theme for the year? In an article on www.zenit.org, vatican spokesman Father Lombardi said that the declaration of the Year of the Priest responds to various struggles of recent times. The article quotes him:
"The general climate of secularization in vast regions of the world, a lessened appreciation for the role of the priest in society, the deep wounds inflicted on the public image of priests due to unworthy behavior by some of them, and even the worthy valuing of the lay vocation in the Church.' Faced with these difficulties, the spokesman continued, "the Pope does not respond with socio-religious considerations, but by promoting a commitment to interior renewal on the part of all priests, so that their Gospel testimony in the world of today is more intense and weighty."(http://zenit.org/article-26254?l=english)
With the scandals that have tainted the world's view of the priesthood, in addition to the other struggles listed above, this year is a chance to promote the importance of praying for our priests- how they NEED our prayers to help them in their vocations! I am convinced that the devil, in an effort to conquer souls marked for Christ, seeks to attack the heart of each priest. This year we will strengthen the armies behind our priests, shielding them with the armor of our prayers.
John Vianney liked to say: "If we had faith, we would see God hidden in the priest like a light behind glass, like wine mixed with water." Recognizing the unique and beautiful vocation of the priesthood, how important it is to speak positively of each of them. Individually, they face a difficult spiritual battle every day, and they need our positive prayers, not criticisms. This is especially true of our pastors and parish priests. How easy it is to fall into the trap of discussing amongst ourselves which priest we "like," which one is "good" or which one makes decisions for the parish that we agree with. Shouldn't we instead be saying of each, "What a difficult time he must have making those decisions," "How can I better serve him in the parish," or "What can I do so that he feels my love and support today?"
I am blessed to have a brother who is pursuing a vocation to the priesthood. He is in his 6th year of seminarian studies with the Legionaries of Christ and is currently in Rome. Often times, when praying for my family members, I am ashamed to say that I am tempted to pray less for him thinking that he's set (that I don't have to worry about him- he's going to be a priest- he's got God). What a dangerous thread I walk there! In truth, he is the one that needs my prayers the most. He is fighting a spiritual battle that I have no true taste of, as he dedicates every hour of every day to intense studies, deep prayer, and the living of true Christian Charity in his community. Sounds like the devils favorite kind of "meat" if you ask me.
Pondering all of these things, I am devising ideas of how we can celebrate the Year of the Priest in our own home. My favorite idea so far is to take advantage of the plenary indulgence opportunity on the 1st Thursday of each month (see the text below with the guidelines for obtaining a plenary indulgence this year). Following confession of course, we would attend Mass on that day and then afterward with my children (and any friends who want to participate) we can make cards for a priest, maybe learn about the saint for whom that priest is named, offer prayers for him, and send him our artwork. This would be a simple, tangible way for my children to grasp the importance of praying for AND supporting our priests. Plus, I can obtain a plenary indulgence in the meantime- everybody wins:)
Here is the text of the Holy Father's audience at the start of the Year of the Priest on June 19:
http://zenit.org/article-26278?l=english
Here is the text of the Holy Father's audience just after the inauguration of the Year of the Priest on June 19.
http://zenit.org/article-26274?l=english;
And here is the text relevant to the lay faithful on receiving a plenary indulgence this year of the Priest:
VATICAN CITY, MAY 12, 2009 (Zenit.org).- The Vatican is offering a plenary indulgence for all faithful on the occasion of the Year for Priests, which is set to begin June 19 and last one year.
For the faithful, a plenary indulgence can be obtained on the opening and closing days of the Year for Priests, on the 150th anniversary of the death of St. Jean-Marie Vianney, on the first Thursday of the month, or on any other day established by the ordinaries of particular places for the good of the faithful.
To obtain the indulgence the faithful must attend Mass in an oratory or Church and offer prayers to "Jesus Christ, supreme and eternal Priest, for the priests of the Church, or perform any good work to sanctify and mould them to his heart."
The conditions for the faithful for earning a plenary indulgence are to have gone to confession and prayed for the intentions of the Pope.
The elderly, the sick, and all those who for any legitimate reason are unable to leave their homes may obtain the plenary indulgence if, with the intention of observing the usual three conditions as soon as they can, "on the days concerned, they pray for the sanctification of priests and offer their sickness and suffering to God through Mary, Queen of the Apostles."
A partial indulgence is offered to the faithful when they repeat five times the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be, or any other duly approved prayer "in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to ask that priests maintain purity and sanctity of life."
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I really love this call for the Year of the Priest, too. There are so many circumstances in just these past few months where we have realized that we need to pray, pray, pray for them!
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