Private Vianney Cenacles

Private Vianney Cenacles are dynamic gatherings of two or more people who come together to pray for priests and vocations at a home, parish conference room or other private setting.

The structure of each Private Vianney Cenacle is determined primarily by the group leader in consultation with the participants, with the Foundation of Prayer for Priests (FPP) providing guidance in the form of broad parameters and suggestions.

General Preparation

Designate a group leader/facilitator
Determine a place in which to gather and pray.
Create a sacred space if possible, with crucifix, candles, holy statues, or holy images in order to help people enter into a spirit of prayer.
Invoke the Holy Spirit to help you create a Vianney Cenacle that will edify all participants.
Decide on a duration for the cenacle (FPP recommends a timeframe between 45 and 90 minutes).
Determine the structure/format of your Vianney Cenacle (Note: Please ensure that fellowship and discussion do not crowd out the time allotted for actual prayer)

Suggestions for the Structure of your Private Vianney Cenacle

1. Beginning the Meeting

Optional opening prayer to one or more of the following persons - 

  • God the Father
  • Jesus
  • The Holy Spirit (especially calling on the Holy Spirit to help you pray for priests) 
  • The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests and Patroness of the Foundation of Prayer for Priests
  • Patron saints of the Foundation of Prayer for Priests (especially St. John Vianney)
  • St. Philomena and other favorite saints
  • Angels

(Note: As an alternative, the opening prayer could be offered at the beginning of the Prayer and Silent Reflection segment below).

Optional fellowship
Review of agenda
Optional sharing of prayer intentions
Optional discussion of a book, article, or reflection from:

  • The website of the Foundation of Prayer for Priests (www.foundationforpriests.org)
  • The Congregation for the Clergy's 2012 publication Eucharistic Adoration for the Sanctification of Priests and Spiritual Maternity
  • The book Praying for Priests: A Mission for the New Evangelization by FPP President Kathleen Beckman, L.H.S..

2. Prayer and Silent Reflection

Optional opening prayer (same recommendations as above)  

Optional opening hymns or songs

Sharing of prayer intentions according to various needs (especially those of priests, seminarians, bishops or the Holy Father. When interceding for the clergy and vocations,you may also include the families of clergy and seminarians, and their spiritual mothers and fathers. 

Prayer options - 

  • The Holy Rosary (regular or scriptural as presented in Praying for Priests: A Mission for the New Evangelization by Kathleen Beckman, L.H.S.)
  • Chaplet of Divine Mercy
  • Scripture readings / lectio divina
  • Other prayers from various sources or spontaneous prayer.
  • Prayers of petition and thanksgiving
  • Silent reflection
  • Make a spiritual holy communion

3. Conclusion

Resolutions or prayer intentions for the next meeting
Closing prayer
Optional fellowship

Click here to see examples of Private Vianney Cenacles

Don't forget to:

  • Register your Vianney Cenacle with the Foundation of Prayer for Priests, and share feedback!
  • Report your group’s spiritual bouquets for priests by emailing us at info@prayerforpriests.org (FPP will include your group’s prayer contributions in its annual report to the Congregation for the Clergy)

The Vianney Cenacle becomes a powerful tool in the hand of God for the building up of the Church. Your faith, hope and love will also be strengthened through the movement of the Holy Spirit at work in FPP Vianney Cenacles. 

St. John Vianney, pray for us.