On this feast day of St. John Vianney, patron saint of priests, let us ask for his intercession for our shepherds. May the Lord sustain, strengthen, and sanctify them in their ministry to us!

Through God’s grace, may they become living reflections of St. John Vianney’s declaration: “The priesthood is the love of the Heart of Jesus.”

We can also pray to the Lord with the words of the saint himself:

God, please give Your Church today many more priests after Your own Heart.

May they be worthy representatives of Christ the Good Shepherd.

May they wholeheartedly devote themselves to prayer and penance;

Being examples of humility and poverty;

Shining models of holiness;

Tireless and powerful preachers of the Word of God;

Zealous dispensers of Your grace in the sacraments.

May their loving devotion to Your Son Jesus in the Eucharist and to Mary His Mother

Be the twin fountains of fruitfulness for their ministry. Amen.