# Prayer to the Holy Spirit for Holy and Wise Priests
*2016-02-09*

> Bill Young leads a prayer asking the Holy Spirit to raise up holy and wise priests in the Church, followed by the Our Father, Hail Mary, and a thanksgiving for clergy.

## Opening Prayer to the Holy Spirit

O Holy Spirit, you who are called the Spirit of Truth in Scripture, the source of sanctity and the one who produces good fruit, raise up in your Church holy and wise priests. May their ministry of the Word, their good example, and their administration of the sacraments instituted by Christ bring abundant fruits of eternal life to souls, hastening the renewal of the world that our Holy Father, Pope Francis, desires.

## Traditional Prayers

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for sinners now and at the hour of their death. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

## Thanksgiving for Clergy

Lord Jesus, I thank you for all our priests: those who baptize us, the priests and bishops who confirm us, the priests who marry us, and especially my pastor today, Father Jeff McCormack of St. Maximilian, and my pastor from St. David, St. Stephen. I pray for our bishop in Miami, for all bishops, priests, and clergy, and especially for Pope Francis. Grant them strength and wisdom.

*May the Holy Spirit raise up holy and wise priests to lead the Church into renewal.*