Prayer for the 2018 Year of the Clergy and Consecrated Persons

O God Most Loving Father, with your priests and those whoconsecrated their lives to you, may we be fully and ever united to Christ. May they be our constant guides in this oneness with you through prayer, the Eucharist and personal conversion. We have sinned and we have failed in so many ways. There are many brothers and sisters in our midst who continue to suffer. They hunger for truth and justice, for charity and solidarity. We pray that we may become bearers of the Gospel that transforms lives as we reach out to our suffering brethren. We pray that the Gospel may urge us to action, to witness to charity and compassionate service. Together may we all be renewed and learn how to be Servant-Leaders for the Gospel of Christ. Like him who rose from the table to wash the disciples’ feet, may we too rise up to the challenge to take care of the poor and the weak, to be always approachable rather than untouchable, and “to imbibe the odor of the sheep.” May our young people who are discerning the gentle call of the Lord to serve, be filled with courage and determination to follow you in service with humility and love. With Mary, Star of the New Evangelization, may we continue to be instruments of the Gospel in our country and in the world. Amen.