Year for Priests
Overview
Year for Priests
June 19, 2009 – June 19, 2010
The Faithfulness of Christ,
The Faithfulness of Priests
About
…through his own humanity every priest must be well aware that he is bringing to the world Another, God himself. God is the only treasure which ultimately people desire to find in a priest.” (Pope Benedict XVI)
With those words, Pope Benedict XVI has proclaimed June 19, 2009 to June 19, 2010 the Year for Priests, a worldwide celebration, which the Holy Father said should help priests “rediscover the grace and the goal of priestly ministry.” The theme for the celebratory year is:
The Faithfulness of Christ,
The Faithfulness of Priests.
In announcing the special year, the Holy Father spoke of the “aspiration to moral perfection that must dwell in every authentically priestly heart.” He further explained the purpose of the year is to encourage priests that it is in “this striving for spiritual perfection, on which, above all, the effectiveness of their ministry depends.”
In a letter to the faithful on June 14, 2009, Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge announced the Diocese of Raleigh will participate in the universal Church’s celebration of the vocation of the ordained priest. Bishop Burbidge offered sincere gratitude for the encouragement and support given to the priests who serve the Diocese, adding, “With God’s grace, this year will also lead priests to an even deeper commitment to their spiritual lives.”
During this special Year, the Holy Father announced he will proclaim Saint John Marie Vianney the “Patron Saint of all Priests of the world.” The saint, currently the patron of diocesan priests, is considered a “wonderful model here on earth of a true Pastor at the service of Christ’s flock.” The proclamation will take place on August 4, 2009, the feast day of Saint John Vianney, which coincidentally marks the 150th anniversary of his death. Pope Benedict also announced Special Indulgences for priests and the faithful for the year.
Pope Benedict will inaugurate the Year by presiding at Vespers on June 19 before the relics of Saint Vianney. June 19 is the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the day for the sanctification of priests. Bishop Burbidge will mark commencement of the Year for Priests in the Diocese of Raleigh with the celebration of Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral at 10:30pm on June 21, 2009.
Key dates
June 19, 2009 Year for Priests commences
June 21, 2009 Bishop Burbidge celebrates opening Mass for Year for Priests
August 4, 2009 Saint John Marie Vianney Proclaimed Patron of All Priests
June 19, 2010 Year for Priests concludes
Resources
Contact
Msgr. David D. Brockman, V.G.
Roman Catholic Diocese of Raleigh
715 Nazareth Street
Raleigh, NC 27606
919-821-9717
Image at right: Icon depicts Christ in Latin Rite vestments. The borders contain an altar, and smaller icons of Melchizedek and Saint John Vianney. Rights provided by iconographer Marek Czarnecki of Seraphic Restorations, Meridien, CT.