Prayer for Seminarians of Saint John XXIII

Saint John XXIII did not write a specific prayer titled "Prayer for Seminarians." However, his teachings and addresses, particularly his "Counsels for Seminarians" from January 28, 1960, provide profound guidance and spiritual encouragement for those discerning and preparing for the priesthood.

While a direct prayer from him with that title is not available, the spirit of his pastoral care for seminarians is evident in various prayers for vocations and priests that align with his vision. For instance, prayers for vocations often ask for perseverance for seminarians and for God to send workers to His harvest, reflecting themes important to John XXIII's pontificate.

Key Themes from Saint John XXIII's Guidance for Seminarians

Saint John XXIII's "Counsels for Seminarians" emphasizes several crucial aspects for their formation:

• Walking Worthily: He urged seminarians to lead a worthy life, harboring high ideals and preserving a spotless priestly character. This involves continuous progress in enriching their minds, purifying their hearts, strengthening their experience, and developing an amiable disposition. He stressed the importance of self-knowledge to overcome failings and approach ideal perfection.

• Embracing Sacred Scripture: John XXIII encouraged seminarians to "take the scroll and eat it up," meaning to eagerly read and draw substantial nourishment from sacred scripture. He viewed the Bible as a guide to righteous living, a source of profound spiritual life, and a means to educate God's people.

• Singing the Psalms with Understanding and Frequency: He highlighted the importance of incessant, meditative, and wise prayer, particularly through the Psalms. He saw prayer as essential for spiritual life, protecting against worldly mentalities and fostering light, sweetness, spiritual balance, and influence over souls.

• Detachment and Sacrifice: Drawing inspiration from the Book of Judges, he spoke of the "chosen few" and the necessity of detachment from personal comfort and worldly desires to be true "soldiers of God's Kingdom."

• Brotherhood and Humility: He reminded seminarians that they are in Rome not for privilege, but to become willing, skilled, humble, and generous assistants to their bishops and fellow priests.

Prayers Reflecting the Spirit of Saint John XXIII's Teachings

Although not directly authored by him as "Prayer for Seminarians," the following prayers resonate with the principles he espoused:

• Prayer for Priests (by John Cardinal O’Connor): This prayer acknowledges priests' human weaknesses and temptations while recognizing their divine calling to teach, preach, minister, console, forgive, and feed the faithful. It asks for God's presence, holiness, and joy in their hearts, souls, and spirits.

• Prayer of John Paul II for Vocations: This prayer asks Jesus to continue calling young men and women to follow Him, to support bishops, priests, and consecrated people, and to grant perseverance to seminarians. It also calls for a missionary eagerness in the community and for God to send workers to His harvest.

• A Prayer for Vocations through the intercession of St. John Vianney: This prayer specifically begs God to call generous men to the sacramental priesthood and to sustain, console, and strengthen them during their demanding preparation.

• A general Prayer for Seminarians (Diocese of Corpus Christi): This prayer asks Jesus, the Great High Priest, to call many worthy souls to the priesthood, enlighten those involved in their formation, and lead seminarians to become models of purity, wisdom, and sacrifice, aflame with love for God and man.

These prayers, while not directly from Saint John XXIII, embody the same spirit of seeking divine guidance, perseverance, and holiness for those called to serve the Church, aligning with his profound care and counsels for seminarians.

PRAYER :" O Holy Virgin, our lady of Trust, kind and loving Mother of seminarians throughout the world, your presence once brought joy to the first apostles of the Gospel as they waited tensely and eagerly in the Cenacle for the coming of the Divine Spirit. Look down upon us now, as we stir with the same eager longing for grace and for a priestly zeal that will be holy and bring holiness to others. Just as you have been our Morning Star, so always remain the serene joy of our vocation, the safeguard of our purity, the flame of our work in the service of Jesus and of the souls redeemed by his Blood and of his Church, which suffers at times but always remains glorious and unbowed. What joy it brings each of us and all of us together, the seminarians of the whole world, to repeat: "Opus tuum nos, O Maria." What a sense of exultation always to be able to add, at every turn in our lives: We are not afraid of anything, O Mary, for you are and will be our trust, our Mother, "in aevum et aeternum." Amen. "