Pope Benedict XVI inaugurated the Year for Priests on Friday, June 19, 2009, which was the solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. The purpose for this year, he said, was "to deepen the commitment of all priests to interior renewal for the sake of a more forceful and incisive witness to the Gospel in today's world."

In his annoucement of the Year for Priests, Pope Benedict quoted St. John Vianney, who said " The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus." I find in yoru ministry to the people of the local Church the sincerest expression of this love. Through your priestly ministry, you have made a gift of yourself in imitation of Christ, the high priest, who came into our midst "as one who serves".

Our vocation is a great gift. It is a gift that expresses itself uniquely in the sharing of God's Word and sacraments with the faithful.For parish priests, it also expresses itself in pastoral leadership of the faithful. In the Holy Father's words, in order for priests to live out their vocations fully they must make a complete commitment "to be one with the Lord in their thoughts and their will, their sentiments and their style of life."

There are many specific activities within the Archdiocese of Seattle that will take place during the Year for Priests:

• Sunday, October 25th, Year for Priests Kick Off with special prayer intentions offered at Masses throughout the Archdiocese of Seattle
• Year For Priests webpage on the Archdiocesan website www.seeattlearch.org/Vocations/Priesthood/YearPriests.htm  
• "Priesthood Profiles" appearing inThe Catholic Northwest Progress
• A Presbyteral Day of Reflection, February 1, 2010
• Parish celebrations focused on vocations including:National Vocation Awareness Week (January 10-16, 2010); World Day for Consecrated Life (February 7, 2010), and World Day of Prayer for Vocations (April 25, 2010)

A suggested prayer for priests:

A Prayer for Priests

Almighty God, in your love You bless your Church with priests, a sign of your faithfulness to your people.

May our prayerful encouragement, during this year and years to come, help them remain faithful to the calling they have received from You.

As they tend Your flock, grant them a caring heart. In them may we know the voice of Christ, our Good Shepherd, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.