Pope Benedict XVI has declared a “Year for Priests” beginning with the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 19, 2009. The year will conclude in Rome with an international gathering of priests with the Holy Father on June 19, 2010.

With the announcement of this Year for Priests, the Pope has declared St. John Vianney the Universal Patron of Priests on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of the Curé d’Ars.

On this website you will find a number of resources to aid your parish’s celebration of the year for priests. There is also information regarding events for priests that will occur throughout the Year for Priests.

Please pray for our priests that they might always be faithful to their sacred calling.

"What is a priest?

A man who holds the place of God, a man clothed with all the powers of God. 'Go,' our Lord said to the priest, 'As my Father has sent me, I also send you." St. John Vianney

Prayer for the Priests (approved by the USCCB)

Dear Lord,
we pray that the Blessed Mother
wrap her mantle around your priests
and through her intercession
strengthen them for their ministry.
We pray that Mary will guide your priests
to follow her own words,
“Do whatever He tells you” (Jn 2:5).
May your priests have the heart of St. Joseph,
Mary’s most chaste spouse.
May the Blessed Mother’s own pierced heart
inspire them to embrace
all who suffer at the foot of the cross.
May your priests be holy,
filled with the fire of your love
seeking nothing but your greater glory
and the salvation of souls.
Amen.

Saint John Vianney, pray for us.

Indulgences for the Year for Priests

Steps for the lay faithful to receive indulgence

On the first and last days of the Year for Priests, on the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Vianney, on the first Thursdays of the month, or on any other day established by your local ordinary:

Attend Mass
Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Pray for priests
Pray for the intentions of the Holy Father
What “duly approved prayers” might priests use to obtain the partial indulgence?

While this is by no means an exhaustive list, several worthy prayers that may be recited by priests seeking to obtain the partial indulgence during the Year for Priests include:

-Prayers of Thanksgiving After Mass, found in Appendix I of the Roman Missal (Sacramentary)
-The Rosary
-The Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
-“A Priest’s Prayer” approved by the USCCB Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations
Or any other prayer found in the Manual of Indulgences (is the one on the top)