A Prayer for Priests

I came across this prayer preparing for a day of recollection. It comes from Pope John Paul II's Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation "Patores Dabo Vobis" (I will give you shepherds)

PRAYER TO THE

MOST BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

O Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ and Mother of priests,

accept this title which we bestow on you to celebrate your motherhood

and to contemplate with you the Priesthood of your Son and of your sons,

O Holy Mother of God.

Mother of Christ, to the Messiah-Priest you gave a body of flesh

through the anointing of the Holy Spirit for the salvation of the poor

and the contrite of heart, guard priests in your heart and in the Church,

O Mother of the Saviour.

O Mother of Faith,

you accompanied the Son of Man at the temple,

in fulfillment of the promises made to the Fathers,

give to the Father for his glory, the priests of his Son,

O Ark of the Covenant.

O Mother of the Church, among the disciples in the Cenacle

you prayed to the Spirit for the new People and their Shepherds,

obtain for the Order of Presbyters the full measure of gifts,

O Queen of the Apostles.

O Mother of Jesus Christ, you were with him from the beginning of his life

and in his mission, you sought the Master among the crowd,

you stood beside him when He was lifted up from the earth,

consumed as the one eternal sacrifice, and you had John, your son, close by,

accept from the beginning those who have been called

protect their growth, in their life ministry accompany your sons,

O Mother of Priests.

Amen!