Pope Benedict XVI has called the whole Church to celebrate a Year for Priests beginning on 19th June 2009, the Feast of the Sacred Heart.

His purpose for this year is to encourage priests in their “striving for spiritual perfection on which, above all, the effectiveness of their ministry depends” and to highlight “the importance of the priest’s role and mission in the Church and in contemporary society”.

To do this the Holy Father calls us to a renewed focus on the centrality of Christ in our lives and in the Church and that “brings with it the correct appreciation of the ministerial priesthood, without which there would be neither the Eucharist, nor even the mission nor the Church herself”.

This same year's also the 150th anniversary of the death of St John Vianney, the patron saint of priests, not to mention the occasion of the visit to England of the relics of St Therese of Lisieux - who from her Carmelite convent showed her life-long devotion to priests by praying for them, supporting them and corresponding with them.

During the year there will be many initiatives that will enrich the Year of Priesthood in every Diocese and each parish and local community establishing an effective programme for this special year.

EXPLORE "YEAR FOR PRIEST" WEBSITE

Click here to download the DAYS OF PRAYER FOR PRIESTS poster