Priesthood Sunday is a special day set aside to honor priesthood in the United States.  This year, Priesthood Sunday will be celebrated on September 25, 2022.

This is a day set aside to reflect upon and affirm the role of the priesthood in the life of the Church.  Every day, your parish priest works hard helping your parish community to grow and flourish – from the various ministries he oversees to all the Masses he celebrates and Sacraments he administers. On top of the spiritual aspects that need tending, the general business of running a parish – for instance, keeping all the buildings maintained – falls on the shoulders of your Pastor and his staff.

The Beautiful Hands of the Priest - Poem Download

The priest occupies many roles and fulfills many duties at the parish, but his identity is far greater than would appear on the surface.

Pope Francis outlined the 7 Pillars of Priesthood as:*

1. The strength of a priest depends on his relationship with Christ.
2. Just as he must be close to Christ so the priest must be close to the people he serves.
3. A priest’s authority must be linked to service, especially to the care and protection of the poorest, weakest, the least important and most easily forgotten.
4. The priest must be a minister of mercy.
5. The priest is called to simplicity of life.
6. The priest must be a model of integrity.
7. The priest is to be a source of blessing for his people.

*https://www.catholicfaithstore.com/daily-bread/priesthood-sunday-the-second-fathers-day/

Some Ideas to Show Your Priest How Much He Means to You!

• Offer a spiritual bouquet for your Pastor and Parish Priests or other priests in your life
• Organize a Pastor/Priest Appreciation Day and throw a party – many times a priest is celebrated when he’s leaving the parish but why not recognize him before the fact?
• Pray for the deceased priests who have served your parish
• Send a note of thanks to your parish priest or an important priest in your life

More suggestions for how to honor your priest and additional information on Priesthood Sunday can be found on the websites below:

Serra International: https://serraus.org/event/priesthood-sunday-2022/

Vocation Ministry:  https://vocationministry.com/resources/documents/

National Catholic Committee on Scouting:  https://www.nccs-bsa.org/index.php/priesthood-sunday

Young adults share reflections on 'My Priest' - watch below