Pope Francis ordains 19 new
priests in St Peter’s Basilica
Pope Francis ordains 19 deacons during Mass in St Peter
Basilica on the 56th World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
Against the glorious backdrop of St Peter’s Basilica, Pope
Francis on Sunday ordained 19 men to the priesthood. His homily, as in the
past, was based on a pre-set formula for Masses of Ordination performed by
bishops.
The Good Shepherd
In it, he told the new priests to, “always keep in mind the
example of the Good Shepherd who came not to be served but to serve, and to
seek out and rescue those who were lost.” He also made it clear that what they
were entering into was "not a cultural association or a trade union".
“You will be part of the ministry of Christ”, he said.
Never tire of being merciful
On this World Day of Prayer for Vocations, which is also
known as Good Shepherd Sunday, Pope Francis said they should to not “tire of
being merciful.” Focusing his thoughts on the Sacrament of Penance, the Pope
urged the 19 men to be "as merciful as the Father, as Jesus was merciful
to us, to all of us".
Give freely as you have received
The Pope also encouraged them be attentive in the
celebration of the Eucharist. “The Lord wanted to save us freely. He himself
told us: "Give for free what you have received for free".” “The
celebration of the Eucharist, the Pontiff underlined, is the culmination of the
Lord's giving freely. Please don't soil it with petty interests.”
The priest, Pope Francis added, should be "close to God
in prayer", "to the bishop", "to the presbytery",
"to other priests" and "to the People of God".
The new priests
Eight of the new priests are from the Priestly Society of
the Sons of the Cross; one belongs to the Family of Disciples. Two of the men
studied at Rome’s Major Seminary and eight received formation at the
Redemptoris Mater Seminary for the neo-catechumenal way.
Of the 19 priests ordained on Sunday one is originally from
Zabreb. They also hail from Italy, Haiti, Japan and Peru.
"Let what you teach be nourishment for the people of
God", Pope Francis said. “Let the holiness of your lives be a delightful
fragrance to Christ’s faithful: you will be a men of prayer, men of
sacrifice, so that by word and example you may build the house of God, which is
the Church.”
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