Novena: prayer for priests

This mosaic in the Basilica at Lisieux is a reminder of Thérèse's desire to help priests in their life and work. Over the image of a priest the words read, "I will help the priests". Priests, and vocations to the priesthood, are the subject of the Diocesan Novena this week.

Intention for this week: priests and vocations to the priesthood

This coming Tuesday we will celebrate the feast of St John Vianney, the patron saint of priests throughout the world. It is 150 years since he died, and Pope Benedict has asked us to mark the anniversary by keeping a year of prayer for priests. During her life in Carmel St Thérèse dedicated herself to praying for two young missionary priests. In this way she supported their efforts to bring Christ to others. As we hear Jesus in the Gospel describe Himself as ‘the Bread of Life’, we thank God for the priesthood, by which the Eucharist is given to us.

Intercession:
Let us pray for priests and for vocations to the priesthood – that by the intercession of St Thérèse and St John Vianney the Church may always have holy and dedicated priests to serve God’s people.