Christ the Great High Priest
Iconographer Marek Czarnecki
Seraphic Restorations Meriden, Connecticut
This icon shows Jesus Christ, our eternal high priest. The gold pelican over His heart represents self-sacrifice. The border contains an altar and grapevines, representing the Mass, and icons of Melchizedek and St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney. Melchizedek: king of righteousness (left icon) was priest and king of Jerusalem. He blessed Abraham and has been considered an ideal priest-king. St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests. The Good Shepherd Lays Down His Life For His Sheep Diocese of Raleigh Prayer for Priests God our Father,
You have chosen men as Priests from among Your people
to be faithful shepherds after your Son's Sacred Heart. Strengthen them to carry out their ordained ministry
with constant joy and genuine love,
striving for ever greater holiness. Help them to serve Your people with humility and charity. Inspire them with zeal to proclaim the Word,
celebrate the Eucharist
and live their lives as Christ' s presence in the world. Keep Your Priests faithful to their vocation
as Your Son is ever faithful to Your Church. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
the High Priest and Good Shepherd,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever. Amen. Mary, Mother of all Priests, pray for us.
St. ]ean-Baptiste Vianney, pray for us. www.dioceseofraleigh.org | 
