Let us pray that priests, through the modesty and humility of their lives, commit themselves actively, above all, to solidarity with those who are most poor.

Pope Francis – June 2019

I would like to ask you to look at the priests who work in our communities.
They are not perfect, but many give it their all until the very end, offering themselves with humility and joy.
They are priests who are close to the people, ready to work hard for everyone.
Let us be thankful for their example and testimony.
Let us pray that priests, through the modesty and humility of their lives, commit themselves actively, above all, to solidarity with those who are most poor.

Credits

Benefactors

—

PRESS RELEASE

The Holy Father invites us to turn our gaze towards the priests who work in each of our communities

In The Pope Video for June, Francis encourages us to look with an open heart at each of the priests who work hard for all of us.

(Vatican City, June 6, 2019) — In The Pope Video for June, Pope Francis speaks to all Catholics, inviting them to look around and observe each of the priests in our communities. Holiness always attracts less attention than sin and scandal.

The hard work carried out by priests isn’t always perfect, but it involves a daily, humble, and joyful effort through which they seek to build up the community and to draw closer to the members of the people of God. These priests want to imitate Jesus’ lifestyle, being close to the people and being available to help and serve them, especially those who are poorest. In the words of the Holy Father, “A servant of life, he walks with the heart and pace of the poor; he is enriched by being with them.”

During this month of June, Francis gives thanks for the example of priests, who, with their availability and their closeness to their flock, bear witness to the love of Christ. The Pope invites us to pray for them, that “through the modesty and humility of their lives,” they may “commit themselves actively to solidarity with those who are the most poor.”

Fr. Frédéric Fornos, SJ, International Director of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network (which includes the Eucharistic Youth Movement), adds: “Prayer and love for Jesus Christ open our lives to be able to savor the Gospel. When we hear the word of the Lord, near to his heart, our desire to follow him grows, along with our desire to imitate his lifestyle, which is one of solidarity towards those who are poorest.” He calls to mind what Bergoglio wrote when he was the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, regarding the importance of praying courageously for the people of God: “Do I pray? Do we—priests and consecrated men and women—pray? Do we do it enough when its needed? (…) When we pray, we’re fighting for our people.” (July 29, 2007)

Priests, Pastors, Humility, Work, Mission, Vocation, Service, Poverty, Solidarity, Generosity, Religious, Church