Signs of the Times  

    (con't.)

    .....The term, "presbyteros", usually translated "elder", appears often in Scripture (ie., Acts 15:2-6; 21:18; 1Peter 5:1; 1 Tim.5:17).  Nearly all Christians accepted this ordained ministry for the first sixteen centuries of the Church's history, though certain heretical groups, such as the Cathari (who taught Gnostic ideas) rejected it.

    Non-Catholic Christians sometimes cite 1Peter 2:5, 9 and Rev. 1:6 to support their claim that if the Church is "a kingdom of priests," it cannot have a special ministerial priesthood as well.  Nevertheless, inn these texts, 1Peter is quoting--and Revelation is echoing--the words of God to the ancient Hebrews recorded in Ex.19:6.  If the Lord could refer to that entire nation as priests, even though they had an ordained priesthood, then surely the same is true of the Church.


     In the "Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena" in which Our Lord gave much instruction to her about the Church and many mysteries therein, He told her that nearly all of the evils that are done by souls subject to the priests are the fault of bad pastors, because, had they corrected them,,,these evils would not have ever occurred.  God demands of us, says St. Catherine, that instead of cursing such faithless priests and prelated, we earnestly pray for them, begging God's mercy and forgiveness, lest they be damned forever in hell.  If all of us sis this, God promises, "I will have mercy on My Spouse (the Church), reforming her with good and holy pastors, then the good pastors will reform her, correcting by force, those under them."


                                                PRAYERS FOR HOLY PRIESTS

      My dear Jesus, Thou desirest that we pray the Lord of the harvest that He send zealous laborers into His vineyard.  Deign to raise up in Thy church, and especially in this diocese, numerous and holy priests who, taking Thy Divine Heart as their Model, will, in the exercise of their holy priesthood, promote the glory of Thy heavenly Father and the salvation of those souls whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Precious Blood.  Give us truly holy priests who, inflamed with the fire of Thy divine love, seek nothing but Thy greater glory and the salvation of souls.
      O Mary, Queen of the clergy, pray for us; obtain for us a number of holy priests.
     (1 Hail Mary and Hail, Holy Queen)


     O Jesus, Eternal Priest, keep all Thy priests within the shelter of Thy sacred Heart, where non may harmthem.
      Keep unstained their anointed hands which daily touch Thy Sacred Body.  Keep unsullied their lips purpled with Thy Precious Blood.
      Keep pure and unearthly their hearts sealed with the sublime marks of Thy glorious priesthood.  Let Thy holy love surround them from the world's contagion.  Bless their labors with abundant fruit and may the souls to whom they have ministered be here below their joy and consolation and in Heaven their beautiful and everlasting crown.  Amen.

    O Mary, Queen of the clergy, pray for us; obtain for us a number of holy priests.


             A PRAYER TO JOHN MARY VIANNEY, PATRON OF PARISH PRIESTS

      St. John Mary, beloved Cure of Ars!  Beg Jesus to send upon us the burning Spirit of love Who so consumed thee with pastoral zeal for souls as to make thee a shining example of prayer and penance.  By thy example and intercession, obtain that we may be able to gain the souls of our brethren for Christ and with them attain to everlasting glory.
      
       Dear Saint!  We beg thee to obtain for priests a share of that extraordinary zeal and consuming charity which thou so efficaciously exerted in the sacred tribunal.  Pray the Holy Ghost to pour down upon priests the graces and the wisdom they need to direct, enlighten and inflame souls with love, that foresaking the paths of sin, they may perseveringly follow the road of righteousness which leads to the heart of God.  Amen.
      
                                       +Francis Cardinal Spellman, Archbishop of New York, 1951