"'No words I can use would be too strong to state that the Catholic
priesthood needs prayer and sacrifice as never before since Calvary,'
wrote the late Jesuit Father John Hardon in 'The Value of Prayer and
Sacrifice for Priests.' He reflects on 30 years of teaching priests,
living with priests 'and having labored for them, loving them and
suffering with them.'
"'One saint after another has declared that the devil's principal
target on earth is the Catholic priest,' he wrote. 'Priests need, Lord
how they need, special graces from God. We ask, why pray, then, for
priests? We should pray for priests and bishops because this has been
the practice of the Church since apostolic times. It's a matter of
revealed truth. It is a divine mandate.'
"I thought of this because ordination time in the U.S. - around June,
near the feast of the Sacred Heart and Father’s Day, which has always
seemed appropriate - has begun. . . ."
In a recent commentary, nationally syndicated columnist Kathryn Jean Lopez reflected on why it is important to pray for the fidelity and holy boldness of priests.
To access her complete post, please visit:
OSV Newsweekly: An urgent call to pray for priests through prayer and sacrifice (21 MAY 19)
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