The Prayer for Priests, composed by Saint Therese of Lisieux, is a profound expression of devotion and intercession for those called to priestly ministry. As a Carmelite nun in the late 19th century, St. Therese understood deeply the sacred nature of the priesthood and its vital role in the Church.
This prayer reflects her spiritual insights on the dignity of the priesthood and the need for divine protection of those who serve in this sacred office. Through it, she encapsulates both the sublime calling of priests and their need for continual grace and spiritual protection.
Liturgical Context
Author: Saint Therese of Lisieux
Usage: For Personal or Communal Intercession
Intention: Support and Protection of Priests
Prayer For Priests
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.
Scripture Foundation
Theological Significance
St. Therese’s prayer emphasizes several key aspects of Catholic priesthood:
- The sacred nature of priestly ministry and its connection to the Eucharist
- The need for spiritual protection in a challenging world
- The eternal significance of priestly service and its heavenly reward
This prayer reflects the Catholic understanding of priesthood as both a divine calling and a sacred trust, highlighting the priest’s unique role in administering the sacraments and shepherding souls toward salvation.
