Thursday, December 10, 2009

Cardinal Hummes letter to priests on prayer


There is a rather beautiful letter of Cardinal Cláudio Hummes, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy,

written to priests on the value of prayer.

It is short, it is all worth reading but I was particularly struck by this passage.
It is for this reason that the priest, if he is to remain faithful to Christ and faithful to the community, must be a man of prayer, a man who lives close to the Lord. Moreover, he needs to be strengthened by the prayer of the Church and of every Christian. Let the sheep pray for their shepherd! When the shepherd becomes aware that his life of prayer is weakening, it is time for him to turn to the Holy Spirit and to beseech like the poor of heart. The Spirit will rekindle the fire in his heart. He will rekindle the passion and the enchantment of the Lord, who is ever present and wishes to eat with him.

I was rather touched to learn "the Congregation for the Clergy celebrates a Eucharistic-Marian Hour for and with priests, at 4 p.m. in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Rome, each first Thursday of the month during the Year for Priests. Many people joyfully come to pray with us." So if you are in Rome join the congregation for prayer.

2 comments:

pelerin said...

As Rome is a bit far away, I wondered if there are any parishes in Brighton having a Holy Hour for Priests during this special Year of the Priest?

sedevacantist priest said...

Im very doubtful. YOu won't see any priest spending their time having holy hour. They are more interested in meeting instead of offering devotion to our Lord.
God help us.

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