In Sri Lanka children write prayers for priests in the Year for Priests
Colombo (AsiaNews) – On 19 June the Church of Sri Lanka released a booklet with prayers and hymns for priests. The goal of this initiative is to begin the Year for Priests launched by Pope Benedict XVI but also to start a tradition that would go beyond it.
The trilingual (Sinhala, Tamil and English) booklet is titled ‘Prayers for Priests’ (pictured). AsiaNews met its author, Fr Cecil Joy Perera, who is also liturgy coordinator for the diocese of Colombo.
“The [booklet’s] main goal is to start a tradition among priests that can go beyond the Year for Priests,” Father Perera said.
The reason is that on the one hand the priest’s role is like that of Jesus the good shepherd, the “priest par excellence”; on the other, “the tasks and challenges presbyters face today in their ministry and apostolate are very demanding.”
For the liturgy coordinator of the Colombo diocese, the booklet is an invitation “to priests, men and women religious, the laity, but also teenagers and children, to write prayers for priests” so as to bring together “all the expressions of the local Church.”
‘Prayers for Priests’ is meant to help priests to pursue their vocation and assist lay people to better know and support the mission.
“It is for this reason that we priced it at only 50 rupees (US 5 cents) so that everyone can buy it and thus start a new tradition.”
If anyone need this book can be communicated Father Cecil Joy Perera, by e.mail pacjepererapa@yahoo.com; mobile + 94 777 325255 or Archbishop’s House, Borella, Sri Lanka.
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