Chancery Notices 25 May 2009

YEAR OF PRIESTLY VOCATIONS

Pope Benedict XVI has proclaimed a “Year for Priests” on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Mary Vianney, the Cure d'Ars. This special year will begin on 19 June 2009 and last until 19 June 2010, with “Faithfulness of Christ, Faithfulness of Priests” as the theme. The Holy Father will also officially proclaim St. John Mary Vianney, who had set a model for dedicated priestly ministry, as “Patron Saint of all the priests of the world”.

The quality of priestly life and ministry is a crucial factor for the fostering of priestly vocations. On the other hand, a generous response to priestly vocations will lead to a more fruitful priestly ministry. For this reason Bishop John Tong, after due consultations, has designated a “Year of Priestly Vocations” for our diocese on the basis of the “Year for Priests”, with a two-fold purpose: 1) to deepen priestly spirituality and to promote priestly ministry through the ongoing formation of priests; 2) to encourage more young people to respond generously to priestly vocations, in particular vocations to be diocesan priests.

The “Year of Priestly Vocations”, to be celebrated in our diocese, will run from 1 July 2009 to 31 December 2010. Bishop John Tong will issue a Pastoral Letter with related recommendations for this occasion.

SPECIAL INDULGENCES

During the “Year for Priests” the Holy Father will grant indulgences to the priests and faithful who, on the usual conditions of confession, Eucharistic Communion and prayer for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff, perform the following acts of devotion:

A. 1) Truly repentant priests who, on any day, devoutly recite at least morning Lauds or Vespers before the Blessed Sacrament, exposed for public adoration or replaced in the tabernacle, and who, after the example of St John Mary Vianney, offer themselves with a ready and generous heart for the celebration of the sacraments, especially Confession. (Plenary Indulgence, applicable by way of suffrage to deceased priests.)

2) Every time that priests devoutly recite the prayers duly approved to lead a holy life and to carry out in a holy manner the offices entrusted to them. (Partial Indulgence, applicable by way of suffrage to deceased priests.)

B. 1) The faithful who are truly repentant and who, in church or in chapel, devoutly attend the divine Sacrifice of Mass and offer prayers to Jesus Christ the Eternal High Priest, for the priests of the Church, and any other good work which they have done on that day, so that Christ may sanctify priests and form them in accordance with His Heart: on the days in which the “Year for Priests” begins and ends, on the day of the 150th anniversary (i.e., 4 August 2009) of the pious passing of St John Mary Vianney, on the first Thursday of the month (or any other day of the month at one’s own choice, except a Sunday). (Plenary Indulgence)

2) The elderly, the sick and all those who for any legitimate reason are confined to their homes and who, with a mind detached from any sin and with the intention of fulfilling as soon as possible the three usual conditions, at home or wherever their impediment detains them, provided that on the days mentioned in item B (1) above they recite prayers for the sanctification of priests and confidently offer the illnesses and hardships of their lives to God through Mary Queen of Apostles. (Plenary Indulgence)

3) All the faithful every time they devoutly recite five Our Fathers, Hail Marys and Glorias, or another expressly approved prayer, in honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to obtain that priests be preserved in purity and holiness of life. (Partial Indulgence)

Given at the Chancery Office,
25 May 2009.

Rev. Lawrence LEE
Chancellor