On June 19, 2009 the Catholic Church begins the Jubilee Year of the Priest, as solemnly declared by Pope Benedict XVI. Envisioned as an opportunity to encourage spiritual perfection in priests, this jubilee year starts on the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the day for the sanctification of all priests.

St. John Vianney, the Cure of Ars, will be declared the patron saint of all priests worldwide – he is currently the patron saint for parish priests. This year marks the 150^th anniversary of the saint's death. His relics will be present at the opening of the Year of the Priest in Rome.

The Holy Father emphasized that priestly formation must maintain “communion with unbroken ecclesial Tradition, without pausing or being tempted by discontinuity,” and said that “a correct reading of the text of Vatican Council II interpreted in the light of the church's doctrinal heritage” must be passed down. He pointed out that the mission of a priest is ecclesial, communal, hierarchical, and doctrinal.

Pope Benedict also said that priests must be "present, identifiable, and recognizable – for their judgment of faith, their personal virtues, and their attire – in the fields of culture and charity which have always been at the heart of the Church's mission." In declaring this jubilee year, Pope Benedict explained the importance of priests – without which there would be no Eucharist, no mission, and no Church. The Year of the Priest will end on June 19, 2010, during a “World Meeting of Priests” in St. Peter's Square.

A PRAYER FOR OUR PRIESTS

We thank you, God our Father,

for those who have responded to your call to priestly ministry.

Accept this prayer we offer on their behalf:

Fill your priests with the sure knowledge of your love.

Open their hearts to the power and consolation of the Holy Spirit.

Lead them to new depths of union with your Son.

Increase in them profound faith

in the Sacraments they celebrate

as they nourish, strengthen and heal us.

Lord Jesus Christ, grant that these, your priests,

may inspire us to strive for holiness

by the power of their example,

as men of prayer who ponder your word and follow your will.

O Mary, Mother of Christ and our mother,

guard with your maternal care these chosen ones,

so dear to the Heart of your Son.

Intercede for our priests that, offering the Sacrifice of your Son,

they may be conformed more each

day to the image of your Son,

our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

St. John Vianney, universal patron of priests,

pray for us and our priests.