I have two thoughts on this. First, Deo gratias! Second, it’s about time! We need our priests, and they need our prayers, and that reciprocal need has not been so keenly felt in a long, long time. The full announcement from the Vatican is here.
Benedict XVI highlighted the “indispensable struggle for moral perfection which must dwell in every truly priestly heart. In order to favour this tendency of priests towards spiritual perfection, upon which the effectiveness of their ministry principally depends, I have”, he said, “decided to call a special ‘Year for Priests’ which will run from 19 June 2009 to 19 June 2010”. This year marks “the 150th anniversary of the death of the saintly ‘Cure of Ars’, Jean Marie Vianney, a true example of a pastor at the service of Christ’s flock”.
This comes immediately on the heels of the Year of St. Paul. I think that makes a very interesting compare and contrast exercise, but even more so that it strengthens different parts of the priestly identity. Thank you, Holy Father. Let us always pray for our Priests!
