International celebration of priests begins June 19
Website to offer prayers, articles, retreat information
Resources available to dioceses
YEAR FOR PRIESTS WEBSITE HIGHLIGHTS INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATION
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Bishops’ Secretariat for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations has set up a Web site to mark the Year for Priests, to be celebrated June 19, 2009-June 19, 2010, throughout the world.
Pope Benedict XVI has designated the year-long celebration to begin on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a day of prayer for the sanctification of all priests. The pope also has designated St. John Vianney as the Universal Patron of All Priests on the occasion of the 150th Anniversary of the saint’s death. The saint, who also is known as the Cure of Ars, is the patron of parish priests.
The Year for priests Website can be found at http://www.usccb.org/yearforpriests/index.shtml.
Elements of the site include Pope Benedict’s message for the occasion and the announcement of the plenary indulgence in both English and Spanish in conjunction with the celebration. Additional elements include prayers that have been commissioned for both priests and laity. PDF documents of these prayers (English/Spanish) can be downloaded and printed for diocesan and parochial use.
During the year, the Secretariat will provide monthly articles by prominent Catholic women who will write about their faith and trust in the priesthood.
Other activities for the Year for Priests will include a gathering of priests in Rome for the culmination of the Year for Priests, as well as retreat on the national level. Information on the retreat will be provided through the Web site.
Dioceses and organizations may link the Year for Priests website. Instructions under the tab for “Promotional Materials” http://www.usccb.org/yearforpriests/promote.shtml indicate how to link to the site.
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Keywords: Year for Priests, John Vianney, clergy, U.S. bishops, Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI, prayer