Priesthood Sunday | Suggested Blessings, Prayers, and Reflections

Priesthood Sunday USA | October 26, 2008 >> Priesthood Sunday | Liturgy Planning >> Priesthood Sunday | Suggested Blessings, Prayers, and Reflections

Priesthood Sunday Liturgy Ideas - I
Suggestions for Liturgy Planning for Priesthood Sunday, October 26, 2008
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Introduction to the Liturgy of the Day

Parishioners and lay leaders may choose to celebrate Mass as a way to observe this special day. The parish liturgy committee may consider mentioning “Priesthood Sunday” in the introduction to the liturgy of the day. For example:

God, through baptism, has given us the gift of his Spirit to be faithful and loving disciples. On this, the Thirtieth Sunday of Ordinary Time, the Church in the United States observes “Priesthood Sunday.” God blesses the universal Church with many priests who give of their selves for Christ’s people. Their preaching, teaching and witness calls us to be as Christ is: loving, just and compassionate. Their service to the community called Church inspires us to continue the mission of Christ to a world in need.

Reflection

The scripture readings appointed for today suggest that true service is done with a humble and with true sincerity. As we know, The Word of God inspires humble servants to further God’s mission on earth.

Jesus tells the Pharisees, in today’s Gospel reading that the greatest two commandments are to love God and love one’s neighbor. “The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments,” says Jesus. Jesus knew, as we do, that the law is more than simply not “breaking the rules.” Rather, love is the foundation for being faithful disciples. The oldest name for God is Love (see the first letter of John). In the Exodus reading, God says, “I am compassionate.” The fifth century theologian from North Africa, Saint Augustine, described the Trinitarian God as follows: God the Father is the Lover, Jesus Christ is the Beloved – the one who receives God’s Love, and that love between Father and Son is the Holy Spirit. Divine Love is perfect self-giving love. As humans, we are created in God’s image, an image of love. Just as God continuously gives God’s self to us, so too are we called to give our love, our lives, over to one another. In the person of Jesus the Christ, the bonds of sin were broken. Sin, as Saint Augustine defined it, is to be curled in on one’s self. In other words, we become selfish, and when we are selfish, we cannot love God nor another human person. The more we are open to God’s offer of God’s self through Jesus, the more we are able to love God and neighbor. The basic response of faith-filled disciples is to be open to God’s love and to love God’s created, that is, human persons. By loving God and one another, we are able to be true and faithful servants.
As we know, priests are Christian disciples as well. Their role in the Church is to teach, preach, and to witness to the God of Jesus Christ’s call to holiness. By their faithful teaching, preaching and witness, the whole Church community grows in its mission to the God of Love in the world. Their service to our parishes is a sacrifice. By sacrifice, we mean, priests give their very selves in order that the whole Church might continue to further Christ’s mission left to the Church.

The intercessions follow. After the intercessions, the blessing prayer is proclaimed by the liturgical assembly as a whole or by the chair of the pastoral council

Suggested Intercessions

Introduction:
Let us offer our prayers of petition to our God, who is Compassion and Love.

For Benedict our pope, _______________ our bishop and all priests:

May they continue to be faithful loving ministers of Christ’s mission. Let us pray to the Lord.

For nations and their governments:

May they work toward peace, justice and equity between one another and for the people they serve. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have suffered abuse:

May they find strength, hope and peace. Let us pray to the Lord.

For an increase in religious vocations:

May men and women respond to the Holy Spirit’s call to serve the church in the priesthood, diaconate and religious life. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all who suffer from sickness, depression, hunger or loneliness:

May they find in our communities faithful support and generous kindness. Let us pray to the Lord.

For nations ravaged by natural disasters:

May the love of Christ embrace the affected and the afflicted.

Let us pray to the Lord.

For all of us gathered in this holy place:

May God continue to teach us to be bearers of God’s love to a world in need. Let us pray to the Lord.

Loving and True God, hear the prayer of your people.

In your merciful love, inspire our priests to faith-filled and loving service.

Answer the prayers of all who believe in you.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.*

Blessing of the Parish Priest(s)

A member of the parish council or other parish leadership organization, or a deacon may invite the members of the assembly to join in a blessing over the parish priest(s). This blessing may take place after the prayer after communion.

The ministries of the Church are many and varied, but God shows God’s goodness by sending priests to care for the people of God. Today we ask God to bless Father ________, who faithfully builds up the body of Christ.

If the blessing prayer is used the above prayer* is omitted and the following blessing is used. The assembly may be invited to extend both hands over the priest.

In your loving kindness, O good and gracious God, you sent your Son to be our shepherd and guide. Father ________ continues Christ’s ministry of working in the vineyard by sustaining and guiding your holy people. Bless Father ________. Let your Spirit uphold him always in his service to the people of this parish. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The above blessing is adapted from “Blessing of Those Who Exercise Pastoral Service” from the Book of Blessing (Washington, D.C.: ICEL, 1987), p. 689.

Concluding Prayer:

You are the giver of every good gift,
O God of abundant goodness and mercy.
Hear the prayer of your people,
and bring us into closer union with your Son,
Jesus Christ our Promise of Hope,
in whose name we offer this prayer.
He is Lord forever and ever.

PRAYER OF AFFIRMATION AND STRENGTHENING IN HOLINESS FOR PRIESTS

This composition is an arrangement of phrases from ancient ordination liturgies (cf. Bradshaw, Ordination Rites of the Ancient Churches of the East and West) that emphasize the call to holiness (integrity, purity). Ordinations always began with a Rite of Election. The proclamation which begins this prayer was at the end of that rite and invited the people to affirm the calling by prayer that the person would be strengthened in holiness to conform to their calling, recognizing that both calling and holiness come from God.

Divine Grace, which always heals that which is infirm and supplies that which is lacking has called our beloved brothers to sacred ministry. Let us pray that they be confirmed and strengthened with the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Fill them with grace and counsel, that they may love you with all their hearts, all their minds, and all their strength. Grant them irreproachable conduct, steadfast faith, and good works so that they may help and guide your people with unselfish motivation.

Grant them wisdom, let their minds be sober and watchful, so that they may be filled with works of healing and words of instruction. May they teach your people in meekness and serve you in holiness with a undivided mind and a willing soul.

May they be the light of your only begotten Son that the word of your gospel may be spread and your name may be glorified in every creature.

May they serve at your holy altar with pure hearts and good consciences. Grant that they may prosper in all your commandments and the keeping of your laws, so that they may be able to minister joyfully on the day of your coming.

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