On June 12, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Church throughout the world will observe the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests.

Established by Saint John Paul II in 1995, the day is a particular invitation to hold priests in prayer: diocesan and religious priests alike, as well as the seminarians now preparing for ordination. It is also a meaningful opportunity to give thanks for their generous service to the People of God and to ask the Lord to sustain them in their mission.

The faithful are encouraged to mark the day with a heartfelt gesture toward their own pastor: a card, a shared meal, a word of gratitude, or a quiet commitment to pray for him each day. Among the initiatives proposed this year, a novena for the holiness of priests runs from June 4 to 12.

On this day, may we be united in prayer that priests will be ever more fully configured to Christ, the Good Shepherd, and renewed in their vocation at the service of the Gospel.

For further ideas and resources, visit: Journée mondiale de prière pour la sanctification des prêtres (available in French only)