For seventeen years, St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face has been the Patroness of the Lay Fast for Priests. From Heaven, and through us, she continues to silently and lovingly fulfil what was her desire during her life to become a missionary. She has caused the Lay Fast for Priests, which she began in the United States all those years ago, to become the global Lay Fast for Priests. This year, we, people from 172 countries, will offer sacrifice for all priests – those who were, those who are and those who are yet to be ordained. Together, tomorrow, we will pray the prayer which she herself wrote. Here is that very prayer:
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.
ARK Ministries
www.annaprae.com
www.annaprae.com
