A prayer for priests by St Therese of Lisieux

O Jesus, eternal Priest, 

Keep your priests within the shelter

of Your Sacred Heart

where none may touch them. 

Keep unstained their anointed hands, 

which touch Your Sacred Body.

Keep unsullied their lips,

daily purpled with your Precious Blood.

Keep pure and unearthly their hearts, 

sealed with the sublime mark of the priesthood.

Let Your holy love surround them 

and shield them from the world's contagion.

Bless their labors with abundant fruit and

may the souls to whom they minister be their joy and

consolation here and in heaven,

in their beautiful and everlasting crown.

Amen

-St Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897)

Feast October 1