The Letter of Pope on the Occasion of Proclamation of the Priestly Year
(June 18, 2009) The Priestly year must be an occasion for all Priests world wide to make a moral and spiritual renewal and provide strong evangelical witness in the world today, said Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday, 18th of June. Addressing them as Brother Priests, the Pope invited them to follow the example of John Mary Vianney, the Patron of Priests, whose 150th death anniversary is celebrated in the current year. Pope Benedict has already announced the year of the priests to commence on the 19th of June 2009, on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is a year to "promote the involvement of inner renewal of all the priests for their more powerful and effective witness to the Gospel in today's world and pray for the sanctification of the clergy.” The letter invites the priests around the world to follow a simple and practical path to the example of the Curé d'Ars. The Pope recalls the apostolic, tireless and silent service of so many priests, who faithfully serve God and neighbour in spite of difficulties and misunderstandings, and even persecution. However, he notes with regret situations deplored often enough, where the Church itself becomes the victim of the infidelity of some of his ministers. The Pontiff indicates that the Curé d’Ars was a pastor according to the heart of God. He was a humble person, but at the same time, a priest for his people. He was the embodiment of Christ’s presence and holiness in the world. At the same time visited the sick and families, organized popular missions and children’s education. He is remembered for his prayer before the tabernacle, the Mass, and Confessions where he stayed up to 16 hours per day: encouraging the afflicted, lukewarm, and transforming hearts and lives of many people. Pope Benedict XVI urged priests, to be like him the "new way of life" following the three evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience as the way of Christian holiness. He also stressed the need for "communion of priests with their bishop" in a priestly fraternity effective and affective.
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