Prayer For The Holiness Of Priests

Lord, we ask that each hand that touches you at the altar may embody warmth and kindness, mirroring the gentle touch of St. Joseph; that the lips uttering sacred words may never be tainted by trivial or inappropriate language; that priests may uphold, even amidst the bustling city streets, the dignity of their calling, the clear sign that they have recently descended from your holy mountain; and that their vestments might carry the sweet aroma of the altar, allowing all to recognize them as living reminders of you, approachable to everyone, yet set apart in a special way. We pray they may emerge from today’s Mass with an intense longing for tomorrow’s celebration, so that the sacred expectation may be their final thought at night and your loving invitation may greet them first in the morning; that your priests, enriched by your presence and blessings, may generously share with those who seek you.Amen.