AS Church’s worldwide celebration of the Pauline year is about to close, another big event in the life of the Catholic clergy is set to begin. On the feast of Sacred Heart of Jesus and the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests on June 19, the Catholic Church will inaugurate a special year dedicated for the clergy.
The Holy Father, addressing members of the Congregation for the Clergy during their Plenary Assembly last March 16, announced a Year of Priesthood, stating the need to encourage priests to strive for spiritual perfection.
“Precisely to encourage priests in this striving for spiritual perfection on which above all, the effectiveness of their ministry depends, I have decided to establish a special “Year for Priests” that will begin on 19 June and last until 19 June 2010.”
Reflecting on the theme of the Congregation’s plenary assembly, the pope said, that “the missionary dimension of the priesthood is born from the priest’s sacramental configuration to Christ.”
“The centrality of Christ brings with it the correct appreciation of the ministerial priesthood, without which there would be neither the Eucharist, nor even the mission nor the Church herself.”
Special year for priests
The special year for the clergy, which is “a year of prayer by priests, with priests and for priests” is centered on the theme, “faithfulness in Christ, faithfulness of priests.”
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) head and Jaro archbishop Angel Lagdameo hailed the special year dedicated for priests saying that “the Holy Father has given us a special intention to celebrate in this year, the primary intention of which is to pray for the sanctification of the clergy.”
God’s faithfulness is certain
Lagdameo said God’s faithfulness is indisputable despite the infidelity shown by some members of the clergy to their priestly calling.
“Christ is always faithful whether we are faithful or not,” he declared.
The CBCP chief acknowledged that recent scandals involving the clergy have been painful for the Church.
“It has been the embarrassment of the Church that some of her clergy have not been faithful,” Lagdameo said, adding that, “All the more, the priests are called to sanctification.
He stressed that priests are called at the service of the Church and should lead by example.
“Some priests may not be preaching very well, but a good example can be a good and powerful preaching by itself,” he said.
“St. Jean Mary Vianney is presented to us by the Church as an example for priests and parishioners to emulate,” added Lagdameo.
The year round celebration that will culminate on June 19, 2010 is in commemoration of the 150th death anniversary of St. Jean Mary Vianney, the saintly Cure of Ars, and patron saint of diocesan priests
Lagdameo said lay organizations can be organized to pray for priests, especially their parish priests, stressing that the spiritual aspect of the celebration should be emphasized.
“The whole vision is the renewal or reform of life; offering of one’s life; suffering for the Church, to attain the kingdom. So, that’s it, ROCK- renewal, offering, conversion for the kingdom,” he said.
Multimedia homepage for priests
Meanwhile, CBCP Media Director Msgr. Pedro Quitorio said that a multimedia homepage at the CBCP main website dedicated solely for the Year of Priests will be created in time for the inauguration.
“It will be an online resource center that will provide a quick access to information regarding events, programs and catechesis throughout the Year for Priests,” Quitorio said.
The homepage may be accessed at www.cbcponline.net/yearforpriests.
Special Indulgences
The Vatican has released a decree granting a plenary indulgence throughout the year to all “truly repentant” priests who fervently pray their breviary before the Blessed Sacrament or in imitation of St. Jean Vianney make themselves available for the celebration of the sacraments, especially Confession. The same indulgence can also be applied on behalf of priests who have already died, provided all the required norms for acquiring one are observed; and a partial indulgence is granted to priests who may apply it.
A plenary or partial indulgence can also be granted to the faithful who fulfilled the required practices of piety, such as devout participation in the Holy Mass, sacramental confession, offering of prayers to Jesus, the eternal High Priest, prayer for priests, offering of one’s good works and prayer for the intentions of the Pope.
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