The Year for Priests [Catholic Caucus]

Saint John Vianney, the Cure of Ars

Pastor’s Column

19^th Sunday Ordinary Time

August 9, 2009

Saint John Vianney, whose feast day is August 4, has been made the patron saint of all priests. Towards the end of his life he was in such demand that he spent up to 16 hours a day hearing confessions. For this week’s column I wish to offer a small selection of his words, that he might speak to us today.

Father Gary

In your work, offer your difficulties and troubles quite simply to God…. And you will find that his blessing will rest upon you and all that you do.

We ought to in the morning on awakening to offer to God our heart, our mind, out thoughts, our words, our actions, our whole selves, to serve for his glory alone.

Our prayer is an incense which God receives with extreme pleasure.

If you really love God, you will not be content with avoiding big sins. You will regard as hateful anything which could be even a little displeasing to him.

Fear nothing but sin and displeasing God.

If we have a burden to carry, let us promptly remember that we are following Jesus Christ carrying his cross; let us unite our sufferings to those of our divine savior.

Alas! How many neglect or omit their spiritual duties just as easily as they will take a glass of wine. They will not do things unless they are in the modd, or put themselves to any inconvenience.

To pray well we need not speak much.

Ask our Lord for the grace to think only of him and to desire only to please him in all you do for your whole life.

Those who go often to Mass during the week, do their work very much better than those who, for want of faith, think they have no time.

We can, if we will, become a saint, for God will never refuse to help us to do so.

Jesus. High Priest

The Year of the Priest

We thank you, God our Father, for those who have responded to your call to priestly ministry.

Accept this prayer we offer on their behalf: Fill your priests with the sure knowledge of your love.

Open their hearts to the power and consolation of the Holy Spirit.

Lead them to new depths of union with your Son.

Increase in them profound faith in the Sacraments they celebrate as they nourish, strengthen and heal us.

Lord Jesus Christ, grant that these, your priests, may inspire us to strive for holiness by the power of their example, as men of prayer who ponder your word and follow your will.

O Mary, Mother of Christ and our mother, guard with your maternal care these chosen ones, so dear to the Heart of your Son.

Intercede for our priests, that offering the Sacrifice of your Son, they may be conformed more each day to the image of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Saint John Vianney, universal patron of priests, pray for us and our priests

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