From the Jordan River to the Sea of Galilee
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My Christmas gift to priests is the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary—their mother. Typically on Thursday, we pray the Luminous Mysteries, but there is an intersect with the Joyful Mysteries, so I contemplated both for clergy everywhere. However, I kept some special persons in mind, including the priests who baptized me; who heard my first confession, who gave me the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ at my First Holy Communion, confirmed me, helped bring me back to the Church, concelebrated my marriage, and anointed me when seriously ill.
There are also those special priests or other clergy who crossed my path by God’s grace, spiritually inspired or counseled me, or still assist in my relationships with loved ones, even to this day.
Following opening Rosary prayers:
The Luminous Mysteries Joined to the Joyful Mysteries
The First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation; The First Luminous Mystery: The Baptism of Jesus at the Jordan.
I give thanks for God for granting the Blessed Virgin Mother and her example to priests, showing them perfect humility and obedience, as their gifted hands baptize God’s children and wash away Original Sin, along with later absolving sins in Confession. Help them Sweet Baby Jesus to truly follow you and not be twisted by worldly concerns or seek the world’s esteem. May my loved ones always pray for priests and recognize and show their appreciation for the priesthood; my enemies open their eyes to the miracle of priesthood; priests themselves serve sacrificially, give thanks and praise to God for their calling; lay teachers follow good priestly direction; health professionals turn their patients to God’s perfect healing; those in private enterprise and public office listen to wise priests; and influencers proclaim the Good News by priestly wisdom and direction.
A decade closing prayer with a special intention for clergy: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins and save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of thy mercy.
The Second Joyful Mystery: The Visitation; The Second Luminous Mystery: The Wedding at Cana
I give thanks that you Baby Jesus in the Womb did not waste a second of your incarnate life but immediately pursued Charity and later, though “not your time,” as eagerly gifted a married couple and community with the miracle of changing water into wine. May all priests and clergy follow your lead with the same all loving enthusiasm. However, also thanks for all the times they rescued lost sleep, worked while ill, and pushed themselves to ensure your children received vital Sacraments, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and multiple graces. We give thanks that they helped our loved ones, nudged us to forgive our enemies (and even love them), inspired with their teaching, and called sinners back to Jesus Christ. A special prayer intention is for those clergy who have themselves strayed from their vocation that the Evil One is vanquished from their lives, and they be called back, themselves repent, and help renew the face of the Earth.
A decade closing prayer with a special intention for clergy: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins and save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of thy mercy.
The Third Joyful Mystery: The Nativity; The Third Luminous Mystery: The Proclamation of the Kingdom
Jesus, you were born in a stable and later proclaimed Yourself not a king of this world but in heaven. Lead all priests to sacrifice in this world for the salvation of souls, including their own, to reside forever in the next. May each of always keep priests in thankful prayer and nullify any ill will by the Church’s enemies. They are under constant attack. When necessary, help us prudently, prayerfully ward off their tempters with truth but also be understanding of a priest’s faults, flaws and imperfections. Help us defend them in the public square, be rightful collaborators—not detractors—and accept our own crosses, joined to theirs, as we journey to Heaven.
A decade closing prayer with a special intention for clergy: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins and save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of thy mercy.
The Fourth Joyful Mystery: The Presentation; The Fourth Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration
Jesus, you were “presented” at the temple as your Blessed Mother and St. Joseph followed the letter of the law, but in great peace and their purification of mind, body, and soul. We live in a time when the putrid supplants purification. Help priests in confronting the evil and enemies of our day especially proclaiming the purity of the Holy Family’s life; sound teaching of truth; the means for contrition penance, and reconciliation, and fortitude to challenge the powerful among us to save souls, though with the fervent hope of their conversion, as well. May faithful priests become the sought after influencers, to turn and transform hearts, minds, and souls back to you in refreshed souls and bodily chastity and chasteness.
A decade closing prayer with a special intention for clergy: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins and save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of thy mercy.
The Fifth Joyful Mystery: Finding Jesus in the Temple; the Fifth Luminous Mystery: The Institution of the Eucharist
Jesus, Your birth and entry into the world transcended your temporary presence, as You never truly left, but established Yourself as the Temple and gifted us with The Presence of Your Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Eucharist. I pray that priests show the greatest gratitude for being consecrated to change bread and wine into your living Body and Blood for the spiritual nourishment of us all. Please inspire our priests to ever honor their role in bringing you to our families and neighbors but also as an invitation to those ignorant of your Love and Mercy, including enemies of the Truth. May priests esteem themselves as Your servants and always guard the preciousness of Your Body, Blood Soul and Divinity, never to be disfigured, distorted, or distributed sacrilegiously.
A decade closing prayer with a special intention for clergy: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins and save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of thy mercy.
After the Rosary’s closing prayers: Prayer of St. Gertrude the Great, who Our Lord assured 1,000 souls in Purgatory would be released each time it was said: Eternal Father, I offer you the most Precious Blood of your Divine Son, Jesus Christ, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory. (Here, adding with special intentions for priests.)
Patricia Hershwitzky, a three-decade educator, holds a degree in Political Science, minor journalism; a Masters in Education and an Educational Specialist degree. Since the early 1990's, she has published numerous articles and letters, along with four books, including:: "Teaching the City of God in the City of Man: Pursuing Salvation Education." Her background includes advocacy for children in the womb. pregnant mothers in crisis, the mentally challenged and emotionally ill. As a breast cancer survivor, Patricia has encouraged women to embrace Catholic responses--meditations and prayer-- during treatment. She is a member of the Guild of St. Benedict Joseph Labre and recently made her promise to the Secular Order of the Servants of Mary. Her most recent work, "Speaking One's Soul: Magnifying God's Word in a Madly Godless World," co authored with Mary Sobel Ott, is now available through Enroute Books and Media. A current focus is finalizing a Catholic parental guide through the maze of mental illness.
