Yesterday afternoon, at 5:00pm local time, in the Vatican Basilica, the Holy Father, Pope Francis presided at the Episcopal Ordination of Monsignor Fabio Fabene, Under-secretary of the Synod of Bishops. The newly-ordained bishop was born in Rome on March 12, 1959, ordained a priest for the Diocese of Viterbo (Italy) on May 26, 1984, and elected as Titular Bishop of Acquapendente on April 8, 2014.
Beloved brothers and sons, let us reflect attentively on the great ecclesial responsibility that is about to be confided to our brother.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, sent by the Father to redeem mankind, in his turn sent the twelve apostles into the world so that, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, they might announce the gospel to all peoples, and unite them under the one shepherd, sanctifying them and guiding them to salvation.
In order to perpetuate this apostolic ministry from one generation to another, the twelve have added other collaborators to their number, transmitting to them through the imposition of their hands, the gift of the Spirit received from Christ, which confers the fullness of the sacrament of Orders. In this way, through the unbroken succession of bishops in the living tradition of the Church, the primary work and ministry of the Savior has been preserved and continues to grow even to our time.
In the person of the bishop, surrounded by his priests, the same Lord, Jesus Christ, the eternal High Priest is present among you. It is Christ who in the ministry of the bishop continues to preach the gospel of salvation and to sanctify the believers through the Sacraments of faith; it is Christ who through the paternity of the bishop, adds now members to his body which is the Church; it is Christ who in the wisdom and prudence of the bishop guides the people of God on their earthy pilgrimage to eternal happiness.
Welcome therefore with joy and gratitude this our brother who we bishops, through the imposition of hands, today will add to the Episcopal college. Render unto him the honor that is due to the minister of Christ and the steward of the mysteries of God, to whom is accorded the witness of the gospel and the ministry of the Spirit for sanctification. Remember the words spoken by Jesus to the apostles: He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; and he who rejects me rejects the one who sent me (Lk 10:16).
As for you, Fabio, beloved brother, chosen by God, consider that you have been chosen from among men and appointed to act on behalf of men in matters pertaining to God. You were chosen from the flock: may vanity and pride never overcome you. And since you have been chosen for man, may your attitude be always one of service. Be like Jesus. Episcopate is in fact associated with service; it is not a title of honor, because bishops are called to serve, not to dominate, according to the command of the Master: The greatest among you must become like the smallest, and the one who leads must be as a servant. I advise you to have always present and close to you, the words of Paul which we have heard today: keep vigil over yourself and watch over the people of God. This means that we must always be awake, alert, in order to defend ourselves against many sins and many worldly attitudes, and in order to defend the people of God against the wolves that Paul said would come.
Preach the Word in season and out of season: admonish, reprimand and encourage with great patience in matters of doctrine. And, through prayer and the offering of the Sacrifice for your people, attain for them the fullness of holiness in Christ and the richness and variety of divine grace. Watching over people also means praying, pray for them like Moses did: with his hands held high, offering prayers of intercession, offering courageous prayers for the people, face to face with the Lord
In the Church entrusted to you, be a faithful guardian and dispenser of the mysteries of Christ. Placed by the Father at the head of his family, always follow the example of the Good Shepherd, who knows his flock. He knows them and did not hesitate to give his life for them.
Love all those who God entrusts to you with the love of a father and of a brother: above all, the priests, deacons, your collaborators in ministry; but also the poor, the vulnerable and those in need of hospitality and help. Exhort the faithful to apostolic commitment and willingly listen to them.
Pay attention to those who do not belong to the one fold of Christ, for they too are confided to you in the Lord. Pray for them.
Remember that in the Catholic Church, gathered together in the bond of charity, you are united to the college of bishops and together you must always be solicitous for all the Churches, generously caring especially for those which are most in need of help. I believe that this will be easy for you in the task entrusted to the Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops.
Watch, watch over the entire flock with love, where the Holy Spirit calls you to rule the Church of God. Watch, do not fall asleep, stay awake, keep vigil, and may the Lord accompany you, be always close to you in this vigilance that I confide to you today in the name of the Father, in whose image you are made; in the name of Jesus Christ his Son, in whom you are instituted as a teacher, priest and pastor; and in the name of the Holy Spirit, who gives life to the Church and sustains her in her weakness.
Homily of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
for the Episcopal Ordination of
His Excellency, Fabio Fabene
Under-secretary of the Synod of Bishops
Beloved brothers and sons, let us reflect attentively on the great ecclesial responsibility that is about to be confided to our brother.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, sent by the Father to redeem mankind, in his turn sent the twelve apostles into the world so that, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, they might announce the gospel to all peoples, and unite them under the one shepherd, sanctifying them and guiding them to salvation.
In order to perpetuate this apostolic ministry from one generation to another, the twelve have added other collaborators to their number, transmitting to them through the imposition of their hands, the gift of the Spirit received from Christ, which confers the fullness of the sacrament of Orders. In this way, through the unbroken succession of bishops in the living tradition of the Church, the primary work and ministry of the Savior has been preserved and continues to grow even to our time.
In the person of the bishop, surrounded by his priests, the same Lord, Jesus Christ, the eternal High Priest is present among you. It is Christ who in the ministry of the bishop continues to preach the gospel of salvation and to sanctify the believers through the Sacraments of faith; it is Christ who through the paternity of the bishop, adds now members to his body which is the Church; it is Christ who in the wisdom and prudence of the bishop guides the people of God on their earthy pilgrimage to eternal happiness.
Welcome therefore with joy and gratitude this our brother who we bishops, through the imposition of hands, today will add to the Episcopal college. Render unto him the honor that is due to the minister of Christ and the steward of the mysteries of God, to whom is accorded the witness of the gospel and the ministry of the Spirit for sanctification. Remember the words spoken by Jesus to the apostles: He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; and he who rejects me rejects the one who sent me (Lk 10:16).
As for you, Fabio, beloved brother, chosen by God, consider that you have been chosen from among men and appointed to act on behalf of men in matters pertaining to God. You were chosen from the flock: may vanity and pride never overcome you. And since you have been chosen for man, may your attitude be always one of service. Be like Jesus. Episcopate is in fact associated with service; it is not a title of honor, because bishops are called to serve, not to dominate, according to the command of the Master: The greatest among you must become like the smallest, and the one who leads must be as a servant. I advise you to have always present and close to you, the words of Paul which we have heard today: keep vigil over yourself and watch over the people of God. This means that we must always be awake, alert, in order to defend ourselves against many sins and many worldly attitudes, and in order to defend the people of God against the wolves that Paul said would come.
Preach the Word in season and out of season: admonish, reprimand and encourage with great patience in matters of doctrine. And, through prayer and the offering of the Sacrifice for your people, attain for them the fullness of holiness in Christ and the richness and variety of divine grace. Watching over people also means praying, pray for them like Moses did: with his hands held high, offering prayers of intercession, offering courageous prayers for the people, face to face with the Lord
In the Church entrusted to you, be a faithful guardian and dispenser of the mysteries of Christ. Placed by the Father at the head of his family, always follow the example of the Good Shepherd, who knows his flock. He knows them and did not hesitate to give his life for them.
Love all those who God entrusts to you with the love of a father and of a brother: above all, the priests, deacons, your collaborators in ministry; but also the poor, the vulnerable and those in need of hospitality and help. Exhort the faithful to apostolic commitment and willingly listen to them.
Pay attention to those who do not belong to the one fold of Christ, for they too are confided to you in the Lord. Pray for them.
Remember that in the Catholic Church, gathered together in the bond of charity, you are united to the college of bishops and together you must always be solicitous for all the Churches, generously caring especially for those which are most in need of help. I believe that this will be easy for you in the task entrusted to the Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops.
Watch, watch over the entire flock with love, where the Holy Spirit calls you to rule the Church of God. Watch, do not fall asleep, stay awake, keep vigil, and may the Lord accompany you, be always close to you in this vigilance that I confide to you today in the name of the Father, in whose image you are made; in the name of Jesus Christ his Son, in whom you are instituted as a teacher, priest and pastor; and in the name of the Holy Spirit, who gives life to the Church and sustains her in her weakness.
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