WASHINGTON (CNS)— The Catholic faithful across the United States are being invited to pray for Pope Francis as he celebrates 50 years as a priest.

 

The jubilee of his ordination is Dec. 13, a weekday in Advent and the memorial of St. Lucy. He was ordained in 1969.

 

In a letter to priests in the  Rockford Diocese, Bishop  David Malloy wrote:

 

“Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has forwarded to each diocese, a reminder that the Holy Father Pope Francis on Friday, December 13, 2019, celebrates the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. 

Prayer for Pope Francis   Father of mercy, we come before you with gratitude for the 50 years of priesthood of Pope Francis, whom you have made Peter's successor.    Support him with the Spirit's gifts,  so that he can continue to preach the Gospel with priestly zeal and lead the Church with wisdom and strength and courage. May his example of long and faithful service be an inspiration to your priests and to all your faithful.    We ask this through Christ our Lord.

“As a means of marking this important occasion of his life and therefore in our own solidarity with him as the successor to Peter, the USCCB has drafted a prayer in honor of that occasion. They have also forwarded two possible petitions for the Prayer of the Faithful on that same occasion. I am attaching those prayers herewith, and I ask that either on Friday, Dec. 13, or in the Masses of the weekend of Dec. 14-15, 2019, these prayers and petitions be read so that we continue to pray for Pope Francis.”

 

With his letter, the bishop also included two petitions that can be used at Mass or in praying the Liturgy of the Hours. 

 

Bishop Malloy also joined Achbishop Gomez in inviting the faithful to use any other appropriate prayer for the pope if they desire.