The Curé d'Ars Prayer Group

The Curé d'Ars Prayer Group

For the bishop and priests of the Raleigh, NC Diocese.

Devotions

Pope Pius XII has composed a prayer for the sanctification of the clergy, to be recited on June 9, the day especially set aside for that intention.

The prayer, which the Holy Father composed at the request of the Priestly Society of the Sons of the Sacred Heart, has been distributed by the Secretariate of State to all the bishops of the world. The special Day for the Sanctification of Priests is being observed on the day following the feast of the Sacred Heart. The feast was extended to the universal Church just 100 years ago, and is being commemorated with special solemnities this year.

Indulgence For Laity
While it is written particularly for recitation by priests themselves, the Pope has granted a partial indulgence of 1,000 days to all the faithful for each time they recite the new prayer "with a contrite heart.” An English translation of the Holy Father’s prayer the original is in Latin—has received the Imprimatur of Archbishop Patrick A. O’Boyle of Washington. It reads as follows:

--The Catholic Standard and Times, Volume 61, Number 36, 1 June 1956


A prayer for the sanctification of the clergy (Pope Pius XII)

Lord, Jesus, Eternal Pontiff, Good Shepherd, Fount of Life, Who, through no merit of our own, has raised us to the ranks of Your priesthood by the special favor of Your Most Sacred Heart, accord us the abundant assistance of Your ever helpful mercy, that we may fulfill the desires to which Your grace has moved our mind. You, Who for us sanctified Yourself that we, too might be holy in truth (cfr. John XVII, 9), grant, that never straying from You Who are the Way, wise in Your teaching, faithful in following the precepts of Your law, we may bring back the image of Your Most Sacred Heart to our way of living, and in You and through You we may please the Heavenly Father in all things.

May all form of justice shine forth and may the strength of fortitude be joined to the chaste moderation of temperance. May sincere faith dwell, in our heart, may hope of eternal reward imbue us with the waters of consolation; and may heavenly fire then inflame those whom Your Most Sacred Heart, a burning furnace of charity, enkindles. Grant that our unending meditation may be concerned with Your words, in which eternal wisdom shines forth, and thus nourished, may we in turn feed the sheep of Your flock, our charge. May those opposed to Your Gospel, be brought into the circle of our unity, and may they find nothing in us in any way, that those who are acquainted with sin and shame might ascribe to Your church our Mother.

Grant, finally, that, seeking not our own advantages, but rather Your glory, we, with the pure conscience of a right will, may be steadfast in our duty to our last breath; and when our body yields to death, may we in the glory of the saints, gain the eternal reward of Yourself, Whom we have on earth as Leader and Companion. Who lives and reigns with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen

Pope Pius XII, Imprimatur of Archbishop Patrick A. O’Boyle of Washington

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