Prayer for Effective Priestly Witness


Lord, you have called me to priestly ministry
in a particular moment of history,
as in the times of the first apostles,
when you desire that all Christians,
and in a particular way your priests,
might be witnesses to the wonders of God
and the strength of your spirit.

Allow me to be a witness to the dignity of human life,
to the grandeur of love,
and to the power of the ministry which I have received.
May my entire life be dedicated to you:
for love, only for love, and for a higher love.

May my commitment to celibacy
born of your mission,
be a joyful and happy affirmation
and a total dedication of myself to others
in the service of your church.
Give me strength in my weakness,
and gratitude for my steadfastness.

Holy mother Mary,
greatest and most wonderful mother of all time,
grant that I may entrust my life to you each day.
Mary, font of generosity and dedication,
grant that I may be joined with you
at the foot of the greatest crosses of the world,
experiencing the redeeming pain of the death of your son,
so that I might enjoy the triumph of the Resurrection
for eternal life. 
Amen.