Thank your priest on 30 October, World Priest Day, sponsored by Worldwide Marriage Encounter

Last Sunday in October
October 30, 2011

Welcome to the World Priest Day web site!

World Priest Day

BLESSING FOR A PREIST

This blessing is for use at a Sunday Liturgy on World Priest Day or any weekend during the month of October. Following the Prayer after Communion, a member of the parish pastoral council or any parish member(s) leads the community in blessing the Priest.

During the month of October we celebrate World Priest Day. Priests daily use the gifts of healing, counseling, preaching and celebrating the Eucharist to and for the benefit of Catholics everywhere. We pause today with a special prayer for Father _________, asking God to continue to bless him in his ministry. I invite you now to extend your hands toward Father as I (We) lead a prayer of blessing.

All in the assembly extend their hands as the leader continues:

All honor and glory to you, Lord our God, maker of all and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In your faithfulness and love, you sent your only Son to live with us and to save us by giving his life for us.

Today we offer you thanks and praise for choosing Father ________, to be filled with the Spirit of Jesus as he leads your flock with zeal and wisdom. We ask you to give him your fullest blessing in his priestly ministry. Help him to serve others as generously as Jesus did, in times of sorrow and in times of joy.

Caring God, bless Father _________, so that he may nourish us with your Word, lead us in prayer and worship, and sustain us as a shepherd and father.

Saving God, bless Father _________, so that he may instruct us by his teaching, inspire us by his preaching, and encourage us by word and deed to work with him for the good of our parish.

Loving God be close to your servant Father _________, as he follows your Son. Guide him in paths that are level and smooth. May your powerful grace make him strong in faith, joyful in hope, and fervent in love, this day and every day to come. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

WeOur Priests!


Click here to read a letter from the WPD Coordinating Team.

Click here for the 2011 WPD Celebration Starter Kit. (PDF, 372KB)


WWME Logo World Priest Day is sponsored by Worldwide Marriage Encounter.

World Priest Day is now celebrated concurrently with Serra Club's Priesthood Sunday:

Priesthood Sunday sponsored by Serra Club USA

Click here to find a Serra Club near you.


Have a question about World Priest Day? Contact the Coordinators.
Have a question about this web site? Contact the Webmasters.