By Carmen Elena Villa
 
VATICAN CITY, JUNE 11, 2010 (Zenit.org).- An image of the newly proclaimed patron of all priests was center stage this morning, hanging from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, as Benedict XVI and 15,000 priest-concelebrants closed the Year for Priests with a Mass for the feast of the Sacred Heart.

St. Peter's Square was teeming with rows of white-vested priests from every corner of the globe, as well as 80 cardinals and 350 archbishops and bishops.

Priests began to file in at 7:30 a.m. for the 10 a.m. Mass -- thousands of them have been in Rome for the three days of closing celebrations that culminated today. By 8:30, the procession was under way, and 15 minutes later, St. Peter's bells sounded the final preparation for the Mass.

Hymns and texts alluding to the priestly vocation enabled the thousands of concelebrants and participants in this event to recollect themselves before the Eucharistic celebration.

VATICAN CITY, JUNE 13, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The priesthood is a gift of God, but it is carried in jars of clay as the sin of priests makes clear.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, made this reflection during the last edition of Vatican Television's "Octava Dies."

VATICAN CITY, JUNE 13, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI says all the good of the Year for Priests cannot be measured, but that people will certainly see its fruits.
Today before praying the midday Angelus, the Pope reflected on the Year for Priests that ended Friday.
He said the closing celebrations in Rome with some 15,000 priests from around the world were "unforgettable days."

WASHINGTON, D.C., APRIL 19, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Evidence from a study on the candidates for ordinations this year shows that the vocations are a result of the collaboration of clergy, families, and the entire People of God.



VATICAN CITY, FEB. 28, 2010 (Zenit.org).- During his Lenten spiritual exercises, Benedict XVI reflected on the priesthood and what it means to be a priest.

The Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, Cardinal Claudio Hummes, cautioned that some priests have an "inadequate and superficial" encounter with Christ and have turned their ministries into "a sort of ecclesiastical profession.”

Aug 14, 2009

The Congregation for the Clergy, headed by Cardinal Claudio Hummes, announced this week that the Pope Benedict XVI plans to close the Year for Priests by convoking a huge meeting of priests from around the world between June 9-11 in Rome.

Thursday 20 August 2009

At Wednesday's general audience at Castel Gandolfo, Pope Benedict XVI looked at the life of St. John Eudes and the importance of ongoing formation of the clergy. Pope Benedict urged the faithful to pray for priests and candidates to the priesthood, saying that their proper formation is crucial for the renewal of the priesthood.

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, AUG. 19, 2009 (Zenit.org).- A priest must be a witness and apostle of the love that is in the hearts of Christ and Mary, says Benedict XVI.

Pope Benedict XVI has announced that a special indulgence for the Year for Priests will be available to all the faithful. In order to recieve this indulgence, the Apostolic Penitentiary has issued the following requirements:

Monday 27 July 2009

Priests, with their human weaknesses, become instruments of salvation by putting themselves into the hands of Christ, says Pope Benedict XVI.

On Friday 19th of June, priests. seminarians and lay people gathered at St Patrick's Cathedral at 3pm for vespers and adoration to mark the beginning of the Year for Priests.

The Archdiocese of Melbourne will begin the Year of the Priest with a Holy Hour and Vespers at St Patricks Cathedral at 3.30pm on Friday 19 June.