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December 5, 2009
Advent Weekday

Read

Read the second lesson from this year’s celebration of “Lessons and Carols.”

Daily Readings

Pray

Pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the most holy rosary.

Reflect

Pope Benedict XVI , Family, 100
The Family and Priestly Vocations
We all know the Church’s great need of [vocations to the priesthood and to the consecrated life]! First of all, prayer is crucial in order that these vocations be born and reach maturity, and that those called will always continue to be worthy of their vocation; prayer should never be lacking in any family or Christian community. However, the life witness of priests and men and women religious and their joy in having been called by the Lord are also fundamental. Equally so is the essential example that children receive in their own family and the conviction of families themselves that for them too, the vocation of a child of theirs is a great gift from the Lord. Indeed, the choice of virginity for the love of God and the brethren, which is required for priesthood and for consecrated life, goes hand in hand with the estimation of Christian marriage: both, in two different and complementary ways, make visible in a certain way the mystery of God’s Covenant with his people.

Address to participants in the ecclesial diocesan convention of Rome
June 6, 2005

Act

Pope Benedict XVI declared a “Year for Priests” that began 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 from June 9-11, 2010. 

Find ideas on how your parish and family can support our priests as we mark this special year.