RevRobJack.com

           When Pope Benedict announced that the Year of the priest would be celebrated beginning with the feast of the Sacred Heart, I already had www.eccesacerdos.com up and running since September 3, 2008. I wanted to provide an internet outlet for people to pray for the renewal of the priests of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati everyday. I also knew that besides just asking people to pray, it would  be best to provide a little more direction, so I wrote a prayer and asked people to say a “decade a day” for whatever priest is being remembered on that day.

   The prayer group I desired to start would be called The Confraternity for Priestly Renewal  or CPR for short. this was not an attempt on my part to be snarky, but rather a realization that the Hearts of priests need to be renewed everyday if they are to be faithful and effective servants of the Gospel. Without prayer, we are useless.

          I also knew that God offers his renewing Holy Spirit to each priest according to his talents and his role in the plan of God, but I believe that even though priests are diverse and unique men, there are three things every priest needs to be the true servant God has made them to be. The first is a deep love for Jesus Christ and for the people he has sent him to serve, wherever they are. Second, a strong attachment and committment to daily prayer, the Liturgy of the Hours and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Third a love and devotion to the communion of Saints, particularly the Mother of God and St. Joseph. In my humble opinion, although I realize that many of the brethren may disagree with some, these are the three non-negotiables that are to be at the root of the life of every priest.

    So everyday I list a particular priest of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and his current assignment, so that people can every day think about a different priest and ask God through the Prayer of priestly renewal and a decade of the rosary to help him in his struggles and joys to grow in the love of God and be an even more effective witness to Jesus Christ through his priestly ministry. Several people have taken me up on this, but I hope to get even more involved.

          Soon I hope to bring to some parishes that will use them the prayer for renewal, some single decade rosaries and even some 24 ounce plastic cups with the CPR Logo on it for people to remember their priests every day. We wil see how it goes.

Pray for Priests, a decade a day, and please support sacred Heart Radio.