Thank-you!

I just wanted to take some time today to express my gratitude and thanksgiving for the faithful and zealous priests that God has provided His Church with. God knows our needs and he provides.

Just think about it for a moment, the God of the Universe, the Creator of all things, choses to use these priests in the Church as channels of His grace so that all people might be united to Him. The amazing power, grace, love, and mercy of Christ flows through them. By the Sacrament of Holy Orders an indelible mark is placed on the soul of every priest.

I know that there are a few marked men out there who read my blog on occasion and so I wanted to extend my gratitude for their willingness to answer God's call to the priesthood and their faithful service to Christ, the Church, and all people.

A special thank-you (as well as prayers and congratulations) goes out to Fr. Tom Dowd as he celebrates the anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood today.

Furthermore, Deacon Benoit, from Benedictus qui venit, will be ordained to the priesthood in thirteen days (December 20th, 2005). If you are able to read French, or if you're willing to brave the less than perfect online translators, I'd highly recommend taking the time to read the story of his vocation that he posted on his blog earlier this week. Please keep him in your prayers in a special way as he prepares for his ordination.

Please take the time to pray for all priests. Remember also to pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life and keep in your prayers the many deacons and seminarians preparing for the priesthood.

Here, for your convenience (so you have no excuse), are the English and French versions of the prayer for vocations that is used regularly at Mass in my archdiocese.

Prayer for Vocations

O God, You have chosen the apostles to make disciples of all nations and by Baptism and Confirmation have called all of us to build up Your Holy Church, we earnestly implore You to choose from among us, Your children, many Priests, Brothers and Sisters who will love You with their whole heart and will gladly spend their entire lives to make You known and loved by all. Amen.

Prière Pour Les Vocations (French)

O Dieu qui avez choisi les apôtres pour propager la foi et pour établir votre sainte Église dans le monde entier, nous vous prions instamment de choisir parmi nous, vos enfants de nos paroisses, beaucoup de prêtres, de frères et de religieuses qui seront contents de passer leur vie entière à vous faire connaître et aimé par tous les humains.