The Year of the Priest Prayer

Holy Cure of Ars you have become an outstanding model for the priests of the whole world. Give our priests a love for the Church, apostolic zeal and steadfastness in trials. Awaken in the hearts of young people an awareness of the splendour of the priesthood and the joy of responding to the call of the Good Shepherd. St John Vianney intercede for us to God. Through you, humble and faithful pastor, may we be granted an abundance of priestly vocations to serve the people of our diocese.

AMEN

MY LORD GOD,
I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

- Thomas Merton, "Thoughts in Solitude"