World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us."

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me." - John 6:56-57

The World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests takes place every year on the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. The World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests was established by Pope St. John Paul II in 2002 and encourages priests to reflect upon the importance and dignity of their vocation.

Readings

Prayer for Priests
O Jesus, eternal High Priest, who, in an incomparable love for men,
allowed Catholic priesthood to issue from Thy Sacred Heart,
deign to continue to pour out on Thy priests the life-giving streams of Infinite Love.
Live in them, transform them into Thyself;
Render them by Thy grace instruments of Thy Mercy;
Act in them and through them and grant that they may perform in Thy Name
and by the strength of Thy Spirit, the works which Thou Thyself
has accomplished for the salvation of this world.
Divine Redeemer of souls,
see how great is the multitude of those who still sleep in the darkness of error;
count the number of those unfaithful sheep who are walking on the edge of an abyss;
consider the crowds of the poor, the hungry, the ignorant and the weak,
who are groaning in their state of abandonment.
Return to us again, dear Sacred Heart of Jesus,
live again in very truth in them;
act through them and pass again through this world
teaching, pardoning, consoling, offering sacrifice, renewing the Bonds of Love
between the Heart of God and the hearts of men.
We pray through the intercession of Mary, Mother of all hearts.
Amen

(Prayer attributed to Mother Louise Margaret, December, 1903. She was a French Visitation nun and 20th century Saint)