O Jesus, Eternal Priest, keep these Thy holy ones within the shelter of Thy Sacred Heart, where none may touch them.
Keep unstained their anointed hands, which daily touch Thy Sacred Body.
Keep unsullied the lips purpled with Thy Precious Blood.
Keep pure and unearthly the hearts sealed with the sublime mark of Thy glorious Priesthood.
Let Thy holy love surround them and shield them from the world's contagion.
Bless their labors with abundant fruit, and may those to whom they minister be their joy and consolation here below, and in heaven their beautiful and everlasting crown.
Amen.
Lord Jesus, great High Priest who upon Calvary and at the table of the Last Supper prepared for the sacrifice of the Mass, I beg Thy blessing upon those priests whom Thou hast chosen to carry on Thy priestly work.
They are human, but they must occupy a divine office.
They must stand as Thy substitute before the eyes of the people.
Their hands must be pure enough to draw Thee down from heaven and strong enough to life the people to Thy heights.
They must speak the truth with courage.
Their lives must be Christlike, the mercy and tenderness modeled on Thine.
I pray that Thou, who in the Eucharist depend on them, will give Thy priests the graces that they need.
Give to young men a compelling vocation to serve Thee.
Give to priests the desire to do well their work, Thy work.
Make us respectful, reverent, and appreciative toward them.
Grant them the grace to be priests not unworthy of Thee, our High Priest.
Amen.