YEAR FOR PRIESTS
19th June 2009 – 19th June 2010
Pope Benedict XVI has declared a year for priests from the Feast of the Sacred Heart (19th June 09).  The year marks 150 th anniversary of the death of St Jean Marie Vianney; the Cure d’Ars – the patron saint of parish priests.  In this year we are asked in a particular way to pray for the sanctification of priests and to help in that important endeavour the Holy Father has given the possibility of both plenary and partial indulgences.

For priests the plenary indulgence can be gained by praying Lauds or Vespers before the Blessed Sacrament exposed, in adoration or in the tabernacle.  They must also ‘offer themselves with a ready and generous heart for the celebration of the sacraments, especially the sacrament of penance’ The plenary indulgence must be accompanied by sacramental confession, the Eucharist and praying for the intentions of the Pope and it can also be applied to deceased priests.  Priests are granted a partial indulgence also applicable to deceased priests every time they ‘devotedly recite the prayer duly approved to lead a saintly life and to carry out the duties entrusted to them’.

For the Faithful a plenary indulgence can also be obtained on the first Thursday of the month by attending Mass, offering prayers to ‘Jesus Christ - supreme and eternal priest, for the priests of the Church, or perform any good work to sanctify and mould them to his heart’ as well as going to confession and praying for the intentions of the Pope.
A partial indulgence is offered to the Faithful when they repeat 5 times the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be or any other approved prayer ‘in honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to ask that priests maintain purity and sanctity of life’

Those unable to leave their homes may obtain the plenary indulgence by observing the three conditions above and ‘on the days concerned, they pray for the sanctification of priests and offer their sickness and suffering to God through Mary, Queen of the Apostles.’

Fridays – Here at St Patrick’s the Altar of the Sacred Heart (last side altar on the right hand side) is dedicated to this call to prayer.  Every Friday we will be praying for the sanctification of priests, as the Holy Father has asked us.  Please join us if you can for any or all of the following:

12.45 Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart
Followed by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until 6pm

17.00 Praying of the Rosary

17.45 Evening prayer