Pope Benedict said this last year at the opening of the Year for Priests.  Now, nearly 12 months later, on the same Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Holy Father will close this year that has offered an occasion "to deepen the commitment of all priests to interior renewal for the sake of a stronger and more incisive witness to the Gospel in today’s world" (see Letter to Priests). The patron of the Year has been Saint John Mary Vianney.  Besides being the patron of parish priests, this year marks the 150th anniversary of his death.  Following in the footsteps of John XXIII, who penned an encyclical on the pious priest, Pope Benedict has continually held up the Curé of Ars as an example to priests throughout this year.  Check out some of the Holy Father's words on the Vatican's Year for Priests page. As this year comes to a conclusion, there are a number of events to celebrate the priesthood, that we invite viewers to join us for:

• Wednesday, June 9th at 10:00am ET: Priests Today.  This three hour program, with English translation, features testimonials, clips from Pope Benedict XVI's speeches on the priesthood, musical interludes and much more.  You can catch an encore presentation at 8:00pm ET and 9:00pm PT.
• Thursday, June 10th at 2:30pm ET: A live presentation of the Holy Father's prayer vigil with priests.  Encore presentations will follow at 9:00pm ET and 10:00pm PT.  This will have English translation as well.  The Archbishop of Quebec and Primate of Canada Cardinal Marc Ouelette will offer a meditation earlier in the day from Rome's Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls at 9:00am ET -- this is available only in Italian.
• Friday, June 11th, the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, at 4:00am ET: A live presentation of Pope Benedict's celebration of the Year for Priests concluding Mass.  There will be encore presentations at 8:00pm ET / 9:00pm PT, as well as Saturday June 12th at 1:00pm ET.

Visit HERE for our full programming schedule, or stream us live online HERE.