The Beautiful Hands of a Priest

We need them in life’s early morning,
we need them again at its close;
We feel their warm clasp of true friendship,
we seek them when tasting life’s woes.
At the altar each day we behold them
and the hands of a king on his throne
Are not equal to them in their greatness,
their dignity stands all alone;
And when we are tempted and wander
to pathways of shame and of sin,
It’s the hand of a priest will absolve
us—not once, but again and again;
And when we are taking life’s partner,
other hands may prepare us a feast,
But the hand that will bless and unite
us is the beautiful hand of a priest.
God bless them and keep them all holy
for the Host which their fingers caress;
When can a poor sinner do better than
to ask Him to guide thee and bless?
When the hour of death comes upon us,
may our courage and strength be increased
By seeing raised over us in blessing,
the beautiful hands of a priest!

Consecration to the Holy Spirit
O Holy Spirit, receive the perfect and complete consecration of my whole being.
In all my actions, grant me the grace of being my Light, my Guide, my Strength
and the Love of my heart. I surrender myself to You, and I ask of You the grace
to be faithful to Your inspirations. Holy Spirit, transform me through Mary and
with Mary into a true image of Christ Jesus, for the glory of the Father, and the
salvation of the world. Amen

Litany for Priests
For our Holy Father, Pope Benedict.
Lord, give him Your Heart of the Good Shepherd.
For the successors of the Apostles.
Lord, give them fatherly concern for their priests.
For Your Bishops chosen by the Holy Spirit.
Lord, keep them close to Your sheep.
For Your Pastors.
Lord, teach them to serve rather than to seek to be served.
For confessors and spiritual directors.
Lord, make them docile instruments of Your Spirit.
For those who announce Your Word.
Lord, let them communicate Your Spirit and Life.
For those who help the lay apostolate.
Lord, encourage them to give witness.
For those who work among the poor.
Lord, make them see and serve You in them.
For those who care for the sick.
May they teach them the value of suffering, Lord.
For poor priests.
Help them, Lord.
For sick priests.
Heal them, Lord.
For elderly priests.
Give them joyful hope, Lord.
For the sad and afflicted.
Console them, Lord.
For anxious and troubled priests.
Give them Your peace, Lord.
For the ridiculed and persecuted.
Defend their cause, Lord.
For lukewarm priests.
Inflame them, Lord.
For the discouraged.
Give them courage, Lord.
For those who aspire to the priesthood.
Give them perseverance, Lord.
To all priests.
Give them fidelity to You and Your Church, Lord.
To all priests.
Give them obedience and love for the Holy Father, Lord.
To all priests.
Let them live in communion with their Bishop,Lord.
That all priests.
Be one as You, Lord, and the Father are One.
That all priests.
May promote justice with which You, Lord, are just.
That all priests.
Collaborate in the unity of the Presbyterate, Lord.
That all priests, filled with Your presence.
Live joyfully in celibacy, Lord.
To all priests.
Grant them the fullness of Your Spirit, Lord,
and transform them into Yourself.

In a special way, I pray for those priests through whom
I have received Your graces:
I pray for the priest who baptized me and for those
who have absolved me of my sins, r
econciling me with You and with Your Church.
I pray for those priests in whose Masses
I have participated and who have given me Your Body as nourishment.
I pray for those priests who have shared Your Word with me,
and for those who have helped me and led me toYou. Amen

World Priest Day Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We come before you today to ask your blessing on our brothers,
Whom you have called to the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

Lord Jesus,
We ask that you support them with your presence
And fill them with grace to serve you faithfully.

Gracious Spirit,
Unite us in service with those whom you have called.
Open our hearts to encourage our brothers and sons to pursue your calling,
And open their hearts to hear Your call to this most Holy Sacrament.
Amen.