In This Year for Priests, Pray for Us
One of the most joyful days in my life was August 4, 2006, the day I was installed as the fifth bishop of Raleigh. As I reflect on the past three years, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the Lord’s goodness in allowing me to serve in such a vibrant and faith-filled Diocese. I was particularly blessed to be installed on the day the universal Church celebrates the feast of one of my favorite saints, Saint John Vianney, the 150th anniversary of whose death occurs this year. He is the model and patron for all priests, and identified by Pope Benedict XVI as “a true exemplar of a pastor at the service of Christ’s flock.”
In declaring the Year for Priests from June 19, 2009 to June 19, 2010, our Holy Father has held up the example of Saint John Vianney for priests and for all of us. His unwavering pursuit of holiness, his profound love for Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, his complete trust in the Lord’s mercy, his tireless commitment to prayer and his zealous service inspired the lives of those he served and, with the grace of God, transformed the French village of Ars and his entire parish community.
The Year for Priests, as explained by Pope Benedict XVI, is a grace-filled moment to encourage priests, in imitation of Saint John Vianney, to strive for the spiritual perfection on which, above all, the effectiveness of their ministry depends. Like you, I am deeply inspired by the holiness and faithfulness of the priests serving in this Diocese. They love Our Lord Jesus and strive daily to offer their lives in worthy service of Him and His Church. My brother priests and I know that we can only do this with God’s divine assistance and with your prayers and support, for which we are most grateful. In a special way throughout the Year for Priests, we ask for your renewed prayers as you encourage us to grow in holiness and spiritual perfection.
Specifically, I ask that you and your families pray daily the Diocesan Prayer for Priests, included in this edition of our magazine. Please also find ways in your parish communities to celebrate the life and ministry of your priests. Refer to our Diocesan web site and magazine, which will provide additional resources and materials related to the celebration of the Year for Priests. Pray especially that more men will hear and respond to the Lord’s call to serve as priests and that our Diocese will also be blessed with an increase of vocations to consecrated life.
In my installation homily, I quoted Saint John Vianney’s challenge to his people: “Let us break the bonds of sin, let us live in God, let us promise anew fidelity to Jesus Christ, and let us stand firmly in faith.” My brothers and sisters, the Year for Priests is an opportunity for all priests and all the faithful to respond to the call of the Gospel and the words of Saint John Vianney. If we do, then all of us and our entire diocese will experience a radical transformation and we will grow in spiritual perfection.
With God’s grace, may the Year for Priests be a time of deep spiritual renewal for all our priests and a source of abundant blessings for the entire diocese. Mary, Mother of Priests, and Saint John Vianney pray for us!