What is Priesthood Sunday?
Priesthood Sunday is a special day set aside to honor priesthood in the United States. It is a day to reflect upon and affirm the role of the priesthood in the life of the Church as a central one. This nationwide event is coordinated and sponsored by the US Council of Serra International.
When is Priesthood Sunday celebrated?
Priesthood Sunday is celebrated on the last Sunday of September.
Why is Priesthood Sunday important?
Catholics are invited to observe Vatican-backed worldwide events, namely, World Day of Prayer for Vocations and World Day for Consecrated Life. In the United States, we also have National Vocation Awareness Week and National Catholic Sisters Week. Priesthood Sunday, however, specifically honors priests, without whom the Mass could not be offered and Sacraments could not be celebrated.
More than the other events listed above, Priesthood Sunday is a more personal one for parishes and organizations with a chaplain. It is for those who cultivate close working relationships with their priests and therefore could benefit from a special day to express their gratitude. It’s a chance to thank and honor priests in unique ways.
It is essential to note that the number of priests and ordinations in the United States has steadily declined in the past 50 years. Meanwhile, the number of parishes without a resident priest pastor has sharply increased in the same period of time. (See the official statistics from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) here.) The men who answer the call to priesthood are special indeed, and they are working harder than ever before.
PARISH PROMOTION: Website
How do I celebrate Priesthood Sunday in my parish?
You can make your Priesthood Sunday observation as elaborate or as simple as you wish. From a special prayer service, to a feast, to a spiritual bouquet, to songs from children, your parish can tailor the event to suit their own style. Parish vocation ministries should take the lead in coordinating the celebrations.