Wednesday, June 6, 2012

3 Years a Priest Today

First of all, a special thanks for their priesthood to Father Peter Marshall and Father Jeremy Gries, the two men I was ordained with three years ago today. 

The Roman Missal contains lots of Masses for lots of occasions, and one such occasion in the back is titled "For the Priest Himself on the Anniversary of His Ordination"

I prayed that Mass today, and found the prayers to be very beautiful.  I include them here, and ask that you pray for all men considering the priesthood, and also that you pray for the priests you know in your life.  The priesthood is awesome!

Entrance Antiphon Cf. Jn 15: 16
It was not you who chose me, says the Lord,
but I who chose you and appointed you to go out and bear fruit,
fruit that will last.


Opening Prayer
Holy Father, who, by no merit of my own, chose me
for communion with the eternal priesthood of your Christ
and for the ministry of your Church,
grant that I may be an ardent yet gentle preacher of the Gospel
and a faithful steward of your mysteries.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.


Prayer over the Offerings
We offer you the sacrifice of praise, O Lord,
for the deepening of our service of you,
so that what you have conferred on us,
unworthy as we are,
you may graciously bring to fulfillment.
Through Christ our Lord.


Communion Antiphon Cf. 1 Cor 10: 16
The chalice of blessing that we bless
is a communion in the Blood of Christ;
and the bread that we break
is a sharing in the Body of the Lord.


Prayer after Communion
For the glory of your name, O Lord,
I have joyfully celebrated the mystery of faith
to mark the anniversary of my priestly ordination,
so that I may be in truth
what I have handled mystically in this sacrifice.
Through Christ our Lord.

2 comments:

  1. I'm glad that you followed the call to ordination. You've already blessed so many people. Thank you for sharing these beautiful prayers, also. I would probably have a difficult time getting the words out.

    Happy Anniversary, and may you have many more.

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  2. Happy Anniversary, Father John. You are a blessing to us.

    ReplyDelete