Prayer for Priests and Those Destined for the Priesthood with Consecration to the Precious Blood 1. My beloved Jesus, by the Precious Blood which Thou didst shed on the day of the Circumcision, deign to watch over the infancy and early education of the children whom Thou hast destined to minister at the altar, that they may be preserved spotless till consecrated to Thee by the holy unction. Bless the families that honor Thy Precious Blood, and spread this devotion by choosing from them a large number of vocations to the priesthood, and by maintaining their fervor till the close of their lives. Our Lady of the Precious Blood, watch over the living chalices of the Blood of Jesus. Amen. 2. Lord Jesus, by the Precious Blood which Thou didst shed in the Garden of Olives, take pity on all aspirants to the priesthood who, through the temptations of the evil one or dread of the responsibilities of the sacred ministry, are in danger of losing their vocation. Impart to these tortured souls sufficient courage to make the sacrifices by which the Eucharistic Chalice must be purchased; and in return for their generosity, inebriate them deliciously at the altar with the Blood which, in Heaven, will be their eternal source of delight. Our Lady of the Precious Blood, etc. 3. Lord Jesus, by the Precious Blood shed in Thy painful Scourging, shield with Thy Own especial protection and that of Thine Immaculate Mother, all the ministers of the sanctuary, so that having renounced the goods of earth in order to belong entirely to Thee, they may every day offer and receive Thy Body and Blood with such pious dispositions as to enable Thee to find in their hearts "a paradise of delight." Our Lady of the Precious Blood, etc.   4. Lord Jesus, by the Precious Blood which Thou didst shed in Thy Crowning with Thorns, we beseech Thee to maintain our clergy in such filial submission to the Holy See and its representatives, as will forever secure for them the veneration, confidence and docility of the faithful children of Holy Church. Our Lady of the Precious Blood, etc. 5. Lord Jesus, by Thy Precious Blood shed on the way to Calvary, take pity on priests who are victims of injustice, and who, like their adorable Model, receive in return for their devotedness, but crosses, trials and persecutions. Our Lady of the Precious Blood, etc. 6. Lord Jesus, by the Blood of Thy Crucifixion, inflame with ever-increasing zeal the dispensers of Thy Blood. Grant that thirsting like Thee for souls, they may continue the work of Thy Bloody Passion, increasing its efficacy by applying its merits. Succor, most of all, the poor missionaries, who after watering with their sweat and their tears the soil in which they have sown the divine seed, may still be called upon to dye with their blood the land upon which they planted the cross. Our Lady of the Precious Blood, etc. 7. Lord Jesus, through the Blood and Water shed by Thee after death, take special pity, we beseech Thee, on those among Thy ministers who will soon be mown down by death. If, through human frailty, they have become the debtors of Your justice, grant that this very day, the infinitely Precious Blood may discharge their obligations.   Our Lady of the Precious Blood, etc. CONSECRATION TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD O Jesus, fairest of the children of men, Thou Whom I see crushed beneath the weight of my sins, covered with wounds, Thy hands and feet pierced with nails, Thy side opened with a lance, I adore Thee and recognize Thee as my Lord and my God and as my beloved Redeemer. Pierced with grief at sight of the Blood flowing from Thy wounds for the redemption of souls, I feel irresistibly urged to consecrate myself to the worship of this regenerating Blood and, by an exemplary life, to atone for all the profanations of this Divine Blood and for those which It still receives daily in the veins of Thy Sacred Body present mystically on the altar. By this consecration --- which I beg Thee to accept, O my Savior, I desire to spend my whole life in proving to Thee my gratitude and my love by paying frequent homage to Thy Precious Blood and by propagating this devotion as far as is in my power. I desire every pulsation of my heart to be a renewal of this consecration, a constantly repeated act of love for this redeeming Blood, a perpetual offering of Its merits in behalf of sinners and all the souls dear to me, and a hymn of unceasing praise in union with that of the Saints and all the blessed in Heaven: "To the Lamb Who redeemed us in His Blood, be honor and glory and benediction forever." O Mary, mother of the Divine Redeemer, obtain for me the grace of adoring fervently throughout my life the Blood of thy Divine Son and of singing forever Its mercies in Heaven. Amen. TAKEN FROM THE PRECIOUS BLOOD AND MOTHER PRAYER BOOK with permission of the Sisters Adorers of the Precious Blood Manchester, New Hampshire E-MAIL HOME------------PRAYER INDEX www.catholictradition.org/Christ/prayer-priests.htm