PRAYER FOR PRIESTS

O Jesus, Eternal Priest, look down with love upon Thy priests. Fill them with burning zeal for the conversion of sinners. Keep them within the shelter of Thy Sacred Heart. Keep unstained their anointed hands. which daily touch Thy Sacred Body. Keep unsullied their lips purpled with Thy precious Blood. Keep pure and unearthly their hearts sealed with the sublime marks of Thy glorious Priesthood. Let Thy holy love protect them from the world's contagion. Bless their labors with abundant fruit, and may the souls to whom they minister on earth be one day their joy and consolation in heaven. Amen.

 

Why say prayers for priests?

Because, as St. John Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests, once said “After God, the priest is everything.” (He also once referred to the priest “the steward of the good God, the distributor of His wealth.”)

In administering the sacraments (which only they can do) and serving us, priests act, as we say, in persona Christi (that is to say, in the person of Christ), with our Lord working through their presence.

 

TO OUR DEPARTED FATHERS

O God, You did raise Your servants through our Diocese of Zanzibar, Fr. Evaristus Mushi, Fr. Peter Minja, Fr Damasi Mrina, and Fr Lucian Mallamsha, to the sacred priesthood of Jesus Christ, according to the Order of Melchisedech, 
giving them the sublime power to offer the Eternal Sacrifice, to bring the Body and Blood of Your Son Jesus Christ down upon the altar, and to absolve the sins of men in Your own Holy Name. We beseech You to reward their faithfulness  and to forget their faults, admitting them speedily into Your Holy Presence, there to enjoy forever the recompense of their labours. This we ask through Jesus Christ Your Son, our Lord.  Amen.

 

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