The declaration of this year as the "Year of the Priests" by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI comes in an appropriate period in the Church where the faithful are invited to pray for the priests of the world. Being consistent with one of the themes of the Pope's pontificate, namely, the important role of the liturgy in the life of the Church and the society,the present pope explicitly associates the vocation of the priesthood with his sacramental ministry, specifically the devout and worthy celebration of the Sacrifice of the Mass. The origin of the priesthood began simultaneously with the institution of the Holy Eucharist. The essential point of reference for the priest's identity must always be the Holy Eucharist. It is from this sacrament that he draws his strength, finds meaning to his vocation and explains the very purpose of his existence as a priest.