World Priest Day
BLESSING FOR A PASTOR
This blessing is for use at a Sunday Liturgy on World Priest
Day or any weekend during the month of October. Following the Prayer after
Communion, a member of the parish pastoral council or any parish member(s)
leads the community in blessing the Pastor.
During the month of October we celebrate World Priest Day. Priests daily use
the gifts of healing, counseling, preaching and celebrating the Eucharist
to and for the benefit of Catholics everywhere. We pause today with a special
prayer for our own pastor, Father _________, asking God to continue to bless
him in his ministry. I invite you now to extend your hands toward Father as
I (We) lead a prayer of blessing.
All in the assembly extend their hands as the leader continues:
All honor and glory to you, Lord our God, maker of all and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ. In your faithfulness and love, you sent your only Son to live
with us and to save us by giving his life for us.
Today we offer you thanks and praise for choosing Father ________, to be filled
with the Spirit of Jesus as he leads your flock with zeal and wisdom. We ask
you to give him your fullest blessing in his priestly ministry. Help him to
serve others as generously as Jesus did, in times of sorrow and in times of
joy.
Caring God, bless our pastor, Father _________, so that he may nourish us
with your Word, lead us in prayer and worship, and sustain us as a shepherd
and father.
Saving God, bless our pastor, Father _________, so that he may instruct us
by his teaching, inspire us by his preaching, and encourage us by word and
deed to work with him for the good of our parish.
Loving God be close to your servant Father _________, our pastor, as he follows
your Son. Guide him in paths that are level and smooth. May your powerful
grace make him strong in faith, joyful in hope, and fervent in love, this
day and every day to come. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
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