Prayer of St John Paul II for priests

Lord, you desired to save mankind and therefore founded the Church as a community of brothers united in your love. Do not cease to visit us and to call those whom you have chosen, that they may be the voice of your Holy Spirit and the leaven of a more just and fraternal society.

Obtain for us from the heavenly Father the spiritual guides our communities need: true priests of the living God who, enlightened by your word, will know how to speak of you and to teach others how to speak with you.

Let your Church grow, multiplying within her consecrated persons who entrust everything to you, so that you may save all. May our communities celebrate the Eucharist with song and adoration as a sacrifice of thanksgiving for your glory and your goodness; may they go out onto the roads of the world to proclaim joy and peace - the precious gifts of your salvation.

Look, O Lord, upon all mankind and show mercy to those who seek you through prayer and an upright life but have not yet met you: reveal yourself to them as the Way that leads to the Father, as the Truth that sets free, as the Life that has no end.Grant us, Lord, to live in your Church in a spirit of faithful service and complete dedication, so that our witness may be credible and fruitful. Amen.