# Prayer for Priests on the Feast of St. John Vianney
*2020-08-03*

> Bill Young leads a special prayer for all priests, invoking St. John Vianney’s example of relentless confession ministry, and asks God to strengthen and protect clergy worldwide.

## Introducing the Prayer

Good evening, this is Bill Young. Today we’re offering a special prayer for our priests, written by Cardinal Mundelein. It’s fitting that we pray on the feast day of St. John Vianney, the patron saint of priests, whose extraordinary dedication—sometimes 16 hours a day at the confessional and over 75,000 confessions a year—offers a model for all clergy.

## The Prayer for Priests

Almighty and eternal God, look upon the face of your Son, our eternal High Priest. With love for Him, have mercy on our ministers. O merciful God, remember that they are weak and fragile creatures. Keep alive in them the fire of your love. Keep them united to you so that the enemy may not prevail against them, and that they may never be unworthy of their sacred calling.

Lord Jesus, I pray for the faithful and devoted pastors, for those who are steadfast and those who struggle, for priests serving nearby and those far away on mission, for those confronting solitude and difficulty, for the young, the old, the sick, and the dying. I commend especially the priests who are dear to me—the ones who baptized me, absolved my sins, celebrated Mass for me, and guided me in faith. May they remain close to your heart and receive great graces in this life and the life to come. Amen.

## Prayer for Those Affected by the Storm

I hope you’re safe after the tropical storm that swept through Philadelphia. Many lost electricity, and some were hit by tornadoes that destroyed homes and injured people. Let us pray for those who lost power, for those whose houses were damaged, for the injured, and for the souls of those who died in the storm. May God’s mercy and comfort be with them.

*May all priests be strengthened by the Holy Spirit to serve faithfully, just as St. John Vianney did.*