A priest writes:
I came across this story this afternoon: "Palm Sunday Surprise in Argentina." This is proof that there is a devil and that he's at work, especially during Holy Week. If you decide to post or comment on this story for your blog, please remind your readers to pray for priests during Holy Week, especially those who are struggling with their vocations, as it's the perfect time for an attack. Imagine what the Triduum will be like at the parishes where Fr. Casas ministered. Lord have mercy. (And note that the author only mentions the congregation's initial reaction.)I agree that priests need prayer especially during this holiest week of the year.
Pope Benedict has said that entering Lent means "starting a time of particular commitment to spiritual combat against evil in the world, in each of us and around us.
"It means looking evil in the face and prepare ourselves to fight its effects, but especially its causes, up to its ultimate cause, Satan."
Here is a prayer for priests, from a page of such prayers provided by Women for Faith and Family:
O Jesus, our great High Priest,
Hear my humble prayers on behalf of your priest, Father [N].
Give him a deep faith
a bright and firm hope
and a burning love
which will ever increase
in the course of his priestly life.
In his loneliness, comfort him
In his sorrows, strengthen him
In his frustrations, point out to him
that it is through suffering that the soul is purified,
and show him that he is needed by the Church,
he is needed by souls,
he is needed for the work of redemption.
O loving Mother Mary, Mother of Priests,
take to your heart your son who is close to you
because of his priestly ordination,
and because of the power which he has received
to carry on the work of Christ
in a world which needs him so much.
Be his comfort, be his joy, be his strength,
and especially help him
to live and to defend the ideals of consecrated celibacy. Amen.
—John Joseph, Cardinal Carberry (+1998)
Archbishop of St. Louis, 1968-1979
