Pope Benedict XVI has declared a “Year for Priests” beginning with the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 19, 2009. The year will conclude in Rome with an international gathering of priests with the Holy Father from June 9-11, 2010.

With the announcement of this Year for Priests, the Pope has declared St. John Vianney the Universal Patron of Priests on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of the Curé d’Ars.

On this website you will find a number of resources to aid your parish’s celebration of the year for priests. There is also information regarding events for priests that will occur throughout the Year for Priests.

Please pray for our priests that they might always be faithful to their sacred calling.

For more Year for Priests videos, click here.

 

Iconographer Marek Czarnecki of Seraphic Restorations in Meriden, Connecticut, has graciously given the USCCB the rights to use the icon of Christ the Great High Priest for use during the Year for Priests (egg tempera and gold leaf on wood panel, 28” x 22”). It is very appropriate to use this icon during the Year for Priests as it serves as a mirror for the priest to look into and see in himself Christ the Priest. The Good Shepherd reminds the priest that he is to “lay down his life for his sheep.” The icon also contains an image of St. John Vianney who Pope Benedict XVI, with the announcement of this special year, has declared the Universal Patron of Priests.
This icon is “based on a fifteenth century Greek prototype, here Christ is shown in Latin Rite vestments with a gold pelican over His heart, the ancient symbol of self-sacrifice. The borders contain a winding grapevine and altar prepared for the celebration of the liturgy of the Mass; in the borders are smaller icons of Melchizedek and St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests” (www.seraphicrestorations.com).