Via Blog by the Sea
VATICAN CITY, 16 MAR 2009 (VIS) -This morning in the Vatican the Holy Father received members of the Congregation for the Clergy, who are currently celebrating their plenary assembly on the theme: “The missionary identity of priests in the Church as an intrinsic dimension of the exercise of the ‘tre munera'”. . . .
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”. . . .
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VATICAN CITY, 16 MAR 2009 (VIS) – “Faithfulness of Christ, faithfulness of priests” is the theme of the Year for Priests announced today by the Holy Father, according to a communique issued by the Holy See Press Office.
The Pope will inaugurate the Year on 19 June, presiding at Vespers in St. Peter’s Basilica where the relics of the saintly ‘Cure of Ars’ will be brought for the occasion by Bishop Guy Bagnard of Belley-Ars, France. He will close the year on 19 June 2010, presiding at a “World Meeting of Priests” in St. Peter’s Square.
During the course of the Year, Benedict XVI will proclaim St. Jean Marie Vianney as patron saint of all the priests of the world. A “Directory for Confessors and Spiritual Directors” will also be published, as will a collection of texts by the Supreme Pontiff on essential aspects of the life and mission of priests in our time.
The Congregation for the Clergy, together with diocesan ordinaries and superiors of religious institutes, will undertake to promote and co-ordinate the various spiritual and pastoral initiatives which are being organised to highlight the role and mission of the clergy in the Church and in modern society, and the need to intensify the permanent formation of priests, associating it with that of seminarians.
Cool – on of my favorite saints and the patron saint of parish priests. During the Year of Priests the Pope has asked us all to only eat potatoes just liked St. John Vianney did. Well not really – we don’t want to have all of our teeth fall out also via malnutrition.
One of my favorites books is the one Fr. Rutler wrote called The Cure D’Ars Today: St John Vianney
5 comments
That is a great book by Rutler. And St. John Vianney is a great saint.
I remember visiting the International Seminary in Ars back in 1996. What a beautiful seminary, and the contemplative sisters who run it are amazing.
I wonder if that will be the site for the world gathering of priests during the Year.
I wonder if this means there will be discounts for clergy at the Leoniana bookshop near the Vatican!
🙂
Fr. Philip, OP
I have the same opinion as yours on this. What you said is true.
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This is a good place given to readers. In this “Year of the Priests”, would be there a reach-out to priests who have been suspended?