# Prayer for the church and for priests
*2015-07-09*

> Bill Young reflects on the courage of the martyrs St. Nicholas Pick and St. Augustine Zhao Rong, leading into a focused prayer for the clergy and the universal Church.

## The courage of the martyrs

Today is Thursday, July 9th, and we remember multiple saints and martyrs. We look to St. Nicholas Pick and his companions in the Netherlands. In 1568, he and his fellow Franciscan priests were martyred. It was a slow process; they attempted to hang them, and though St. Nicholas did not die immediately, he used that moment to encourage his companions. He told them that the hour was at hand to receive the reward of the struggle and the crown of eternal happiness. He urged them not to let cowardice rob them of the crown prepared for them. He joyfully mounted the ladder, singing and exhorting his companions until he was deprived of the use of his voice.

We also remember St. Augustine Zhao Rong and his companions in China from some 400 years ago. There are so many examples of priests, sisters, deacons, and laypeople who gave up their lives for the Lord.

## A personal reflection on faith

I always personally wonder if I were challenged to give up my life for the Lord, would I accept that challenge with love, grace, and forgiveness? That is what makes a true saint. I pray that if I ever faced that challenge in my life, I would choose the Lord every time.

One of the quotes regarding St. Nicholas Pick mentions that it is not always possible to choose when and how we will witness for our faith. I have been doing this podcast for some seven years now, and I hope that this is my own little way of witnessing to my faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

## Intercessions for the clergy

Today, I want to pray for our priests—for those newly ordained as of last Sunday, and for those who have served their whole lives. I pray for the sisters, the deacons, and all the laity who spend their lives for the Lord Jesus Christ. I offer a special prayer for Pope Francis during his travels in South America; may the Lord protect him and give him strength, as he is an important voice that needs to be heard around the world. I also keep in my prayers all my priest and sister friends who follow me on Twitter and listen to this podcast.

## Prayer for the Church

Oh my Jesus, I beg you on behalf of the whole Church: grant love and the light of your Spirit to our priests. Give power to the words of priests so that hearts may be brought to repentance and return to you. Oh Lord, give us holy priests and maintain them in holiness.

Oh divine and great High Priest, may the power of your mercy accompany them everywhere and protect them from the devil's traps and sneers which continue to be set for the souls of priests. May the power of your mercy, our Lord, shatter all that may tarnish the sanctity of priests, for you can do all things.

Jesus, my most beloved, I beg you for the triumph of the Church, for the blessings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, and all the clergy. I ask you for the grace of conversion for impenitent sinners, and I ask you for a special blessing for all the laity. Jesus, I pray for the priests before whom I will make my confessions throughout my lifetime. Amen. Please protect all your priests, sisters, deacons, and laity; when challenged, may we always do the right thing.

*May we always choose the Lord and do the right thing when challenged to witness for our faith.*