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From Maria Woltornist, Glen Gardner, New Jersey:

Let us pray!  The story behind this prayer is that it was on my heart for three days – all I kept praying was “Build me a priest ….”  Praying for what we need in our priests after all we’ve suffered recently.

I finally decided to put it to paper and when I was done I sent it to my friend – it was 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday night before Holy Thursday! She responded, “Do you realize you are thirty minutes away from the Institution of the Eucharist and the Holy Priesthood?”

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Build me a priest who has been properly formed without the effects of modernism – Lord Jesus, build me a priest!

Build me a priest who realizes he was “called out” from many – CHOSEN!  A priest who LOVES his vocation, loves souls and will work until there is nothing left – all to save souls.  Lord Jesus, build me a priest!

Build me a priest who loves Mary, our mother!  A priest who knows he belongs to her and will guide him in all his efforts.  Lord Jesus, build me a priest who believes that all graces come through her Immaculate hands and heart!   Build me a priest!

Build me a priest who wants to be an alter Christus and yet is humbled beyond words at the very thought of being called to this sublime vocation and yet Lord Jesus, build me a priest who believes YOU will help him because YOU are God and NOTHING is impossible for you!  Build me a priest, Lord Jesus!

Build me a priest who will deny himself, who will put others first, who cannot rest as long as there is a soul in need.  A priest who thinks of himself last and salvation for himself and for others first.  Lord Jesus, build me a priest!

Build me a priest who will run to the bedside of the sick and dying to administer Last Rites, knowing how important this is to that soul whom he may never have met prior, and yet can bring to eternal life in Heaven.  Lord Jesus, build me a priest!

Build me a priest who will fast and take on mortifications without anyone seeing, all to help the struggling souls entrusted to him.  A priest who is not prideful but humble.  Lord Jesus, build me a priest!

Build me a priest who will speak the Truth as you did Dear Jesus!  A priest who loves souls and LOVES you!  A priest who is not afraid of what others think – but only of what YOU think!  A priest who has one desire – to please you Lord Jesus, build me a priest!

Build me a priest who loves the Liturgy, loves Tradition, loves the bells, loves the incense, stained glass windows, clerics, vestments, the stole and all of it – a priest who is honored to be called to wear it all and yet is humbled in this calling.  A priest who is not arrogant wearing or using these things, but humbled wearing or using them – Lord Jesus, build me a priest!

Build me a priest who looks to St. John Vianney and St. Padre Pio who sat tirelessly in the confessional listening for hours on end to confessions, often without any break, all for the salvation of souls – Lord Jesus, I beg you to build me a priest!

Build me a priest who will speak about the evils of contraception, abortion, pornography, euthanasia, gay marriage, infanticide, adultery, transgenderism, greed, pride, etc without fear – even knowing the persecution and suffering this brave voice will have to bear, all the while knowing this is his duty and his calling – the salvation of souls!  Build me a priest who is not afraid!  Lord Jesus, build me a priest!

Build me a priest who loves families, who is present to them, who encourages large families, and understands that vocations spring forth from families!  A priest who encourages sacrifice all for the glory of God!  Lord Jesus, build me a priest!

Build me a priest who is bold enough to remind parents of their duty to raise their children in the faith, to educate them in the faith and to remind them that they will be judged on this.  Lord Jesus, build me a priest!

Build me a priest who does not care about the car he drives, what he owns, or even what others think of him. A priest who is totally detached from worldly things and desires –   Lord Jesus, build me a priest!

Build me a priest who is truly masculine for our sons to see and to emulate.  A priest whose radical love for Jesus Christ inspires other young men to join the ranks of the Holy priesthood.  To see laying down one’s life for others as a blessing and a gift!   A priest who is not afraid to work, pouring himself out day after day for the salvation of souls.  Lord Jesus, build me a priest!

Build me a priest who loves the handicapped, the disabled, those suffering with mental illness, the grieving, the brokenhearted, the lost and forgotten.  Lord Jesus, build me a priest!

Build me a priest who will not compromise Truth for money, for popularity, for fame, for ease or weakness in character.  A priest who is a straight shooter and a clear teacher.  Lord Jesus, build me a priest!

Build me a priest who will be at my bedside administering the Sacraments I have loved throughout my life when I am dying and a priest who believes in eternal life, heaven, hell and purgatory – Lord Jesus, build me that priest!

Build me a priest who does not care about climbing the ladder, titles, benefits, vacation days, political correctness, money in the baskets, but instead cares about ways to be like You Lord Jesus – build me a priest!

Build me a priest who is fearless!  A priest who sees the culture and the evil in the world and is not afraid!  Fire from the Holy Spirit is needed!   A priest who believes in the power of sanctifying grace on a soul!  A priest who will not run when things get hard or seem impossible.  Lord Jesus, build me a priest!

Build me a priest with supernatural faith that is contagious!  A priest who knows God is Almighty and can do anything!  A priest who trusts in God.  A priest who instructs others to do the same.   Lord Jesus, build me a priest!

Build me a priest who prays the Rosary, says Mass daily, prays the Divine Office and Liturgy of the Hours, spends time before Jesus in the Tabernacle daily – and truly loves you!  Lord Jesus, build me a priest!

Build me a priest who will guide me to be a saint.  Who himself works daily to become a saint.  A priest who will have nothing left in his body upon his death because he will have spent every ounce of it administering to others for love of YOU!  Lord Jesus, build me a priest!

Lord Jesus, I have no right to ask these things of you because you are all knowing.  But perhaps you are waiting on me to ask, and to pray, fast and sacrifice for priests such as these?  I thank you for the holy priesthood, for the Eucharist, for confession and absolution through the hands of our priests.  I thank you for the Sacraments and for the love I have for You, for the Catholic Faith- the One True Faith, the Eucharist, your mother Mary, and all your gifts.  I do not dare tell you what I need but instead, because I love you, I share the deep desires of my heart.