For the Priests of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee

Co-Cathedral of Saint Thomas More

Tallahassee, Florida

19 APRIL 2010. This week is a week of retreat and reflection for the priests of our diocese.They are meeting with our bishop, John Ricard, S.S.J., who is fighting the good fight to recover from ill health. Mass today in Tallahassee was only offered at my home parish of Good Shepherd by a retired priest who lives nearby.

So, a word of thanks for all our wonderful priests of the diocese, and a word of thanks and encouragement to Bishop Ricard for his tremendous pastoral leadership. In many ways I have personally seen his leadership of the diocese bring a blessing of increased faith and an increase in the sacraments.

Prayer

Loving God, 
You have blessed the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee
with many faithful and wonderful workers for the vineyard, 
and the life of the Church here has blossomed
under their care, and for Your Glory.
Grant, we beseech Thee, to look over and guard our priests.
Keep them strong in their ministry;
preserve them from doubt and sin;
and provide for them every grace in abundance to serve You 
and Your people, the Body of Christ.

Amen.

A Prayer for Priests

Dear Lord,
we pray that the Blessed Mother
wrap her mantle around your priests
and through her intercession
strengthen them for their ministry.

We pray that Mary will guide your priests
to follow her own words,
“Do whatever He tells you” (Jn 2:5).

May your priests have the heart of St. Joseph,
Mary’s most chaste spouse.

May the Blessed Mother’s own pierced heart
inspire them to embrace
all who suffer at the foot of the cross.

May your priests be holy,
filled with the fire of your love
seeking nothing but your greater glory
and the salvation of souls.

Amen.

O Mary Queen of Priests, pray for us.
Saint John Vianney, pray for us.