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Saturday, October 24, 2009

Feastday: Priesthood Sunday -- October 25, 2009

Be sure and pray especially hard for your priests tomorrow -- Sunday, 10/25/09 -- as it's Priesthood Sunday ... a day when we especially remember our priests, their vocations, and their sacrifices for their flock!


Isn't this icon beautiful?  This icon is "based on a 15th century Greek prototype; here Christ is shown in Latin Rite vestments with a godl 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. John Vianney."    The artist, Michael Czarnecki explains:
I wrote the icon about seven years ago [for seminarians and priests] to be able to see Christ in themselves, and themselves in Christ.  We often hear that the icon is called a window; in this case, it's also meant to be a mirror.



Here's a great prayer for priests (from St. Therese of Lisieux):
O Jesus, eternal Priest,
keep your priests within the shelter of Your Sacred Heart,
where none may touch them.

Keep unstained their anointed hands,
which daily touch Your Sacred Body.

Keep unsullied their lips,
daily purpled with your Precious Blood.

Keep pure and unearthly their hearts,
sealed with the sublime mark of the priesthood.

Let Your holy love surround them and shield them from the world's contagion.

Bless their labors with abundant fruit and may the souls to whom they minister
be their joy and consolation here and in heaven
their beautiful and everlasting crown.

Amen!


1 comment:

  1. That is a gorgeous icon! Thanks for the heads up! I posted a St. John Vianney coloring page in honor of tomorrow.

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