Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beijing (Agenzia Fides) – The text of the prayer for priests for the Year for Priests, with photos and a brief biography of each of the diocese's 50 priests was distributed to all the faithful at the solemn celebration of the opening of the Year for Priests in the Archdiocese of Beijing, on July 11. The initiative includes an invitation to all the faithful to pray every day for priests and for their vocation, especially for the priests of their diocese. This is what was explained by Archbishop Joseph Li Shan in addressing over 2,000 faithful, religious, and seminarians, in addition to 44 diocesan priests concelebrating.
In the homily, Bishop Li mentioned that “the Holy Father Benedict XVI has called for a Year for Priests, in honor of the 150th anniversary of the death of Saint John Vianney. Thus, during this Year, all of us priests should reflect on our vocation and the faithful should pray for the vocations of priests and the seminarians in our seminary. As Bishop, I ask you brother priests, to focus on 4 points: be demanding with yourselves and the faithful when your carry out your priestly ministry and duties; be attentive in your conduct and to the word that should be the example of Christian life for all; be respectful and faithful to every Sacrament you celebrate in your heart and soul; make it a habit to read the Sacred Scripture every day, so that it may become your main reference point that you should never forget.” Lastly, the Archbishop led the recitation of the prayer for the Year for Priests, asking the faithful to “help priests respond to their priestly vocations with [their] prayer.” (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 21/7/2009)
