Year of the Priesthood!

This morning's press bulletin from the Vatican had this announcement (roughly translated by me, so it could be off a bit):

"On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of the holy Curé of Ars, Jean Marie Vianney, His Holiness announced this morning that, from June 19, 2009, to June 19, 2010, there will be a special Year of the Priesthood, that will have the theme: 'Fidelity of Christ, fidelity of Priesthood'.  The Holy Father will open it, presiding at the celebration of Vespers on the 19th of June, the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Day of Sanctification of Priests, in the presence of the relics of the Curé of Ars brought by the Bishop of Belley-Ars; He will close it, June 19, 2010, taking part in a 'World Meeting of Priests' in St. Peter's Square.

During this jubilee year, Benedict XVI will proclaim St. Jean M. Vianney, 'Patron of all Priests of the world'.  Moreover, there will also be published the 'Directory for Confessors and Spiritual Directors', together with a collection of texts from Popes on the essential themes in the life and Priestly mission in our times.

The Congregation for Clergy, in consultation with Diocesan Ordinaries and Superiors of the Religious Institutes, will 'busy themselves' with promoting and coordinating several spiritual and pastoral initiatives that will take place to show the role and the mission of the Priest in the Church and in contemporary society, as well as to upgrade the permanent formation of Priests as connected to that of seminarians."

So, following the "Year of the Rosary" (October, 2002 - October, 2003), the "Year of the Eucharist" (October, 2004 - October, 2005), and the "Year of St. Paul" (June, 2008 - June, 2009), now we get a year to reflect on the Priesthood.  In fact, not just a year for Priests to reflect on who they are, but a year for the laity to do the same.  Nice idea, boss!