Prayer for the Year of the Priest

As you may know, Pope Benedict XVI declared June 19, 2009 to June 19, 2010 the Year of the Priest. We are all invited to pray especially for our priests during this year. This is a prayer for priests written by the founder of the Daughters of St. Paul, Bl. James Alberione:

Jesus, Divine Master, I bless and thank your most loving Heart for the institution of the priesthood. Priests are sent by you, as you were sent by the Father. To them you entrusted the treasures of your doctrine, of your law, of your grace, and souls themselves. Grant me the grace to love them, listen to them, and let myself be guided by them in your ways. Jesus, send good laborers into your harvest. May priests be the salt which purifies and preserves; may they be the light of the world; may they be the city placed on the mountain. May they all be formed according to your heart. And one day in heaven, may they have around themselves, as a crown of joy, a multitude of conquered souls. Amen.