At 9:15am today in Rome, which marks the IV Sunday of Easter and the 53rd World Day of Prayer for Vocations, in the Vatican Basilica, the Holy Father, Pope Francis presided over the celebration of a Mass during which he conferred Presbyteral Ordination on 11 deacons: 9 from the diocesan seminaries of Rome (Pontifical Major Roman Seminary, Almo Capranica College, Redemptoris Mater Diocesan College and the Seminary of Our Lady of Divine Love) and 2 other Colleges.
Present to concelebrate this morning with the Holy Father were: Cardinal Agostino Vallini, Vicar General of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome; His Excellency, Filippo Iannone, Assistant Director; the Auxiliary Bishops and Superiors from the above-mentioned Seminaries; and the Pastors of the parishes to which the Ordinandi belong.
The homily which the Holy Father pronounced during the Eucharistic celebration followed the ritual homily proposed in the Italian edition of the Roman Pontifical for the Ordination of Priests, with some additions which he included for their consideration.
Beloved brothers,
These, our sons and brothers have been called to the order of the Presbyterate. As you know well, the Lord Jesus is the only High Priest of the New Covenant, but in Him all the holy people of God also constitute a priestly people. Nevertheless, from among all his disciples, the Lord Jesus wishes to choose some in particular, so that they may exercise publicly in the Church the priestly office in his name for the sake of all people, continuing his personal mission as teacher, priest and shepherd.
After mature reflection, we are now to raise these our brothers to the order of presbyters, so that at the service of Christ, the Teacher, Priest and Shepherd, they may work with Him to build up the Body of Christ which is the Church, the People of God and the Holy Temple of the Spirit.
In fact, they will be configured to Christ, the High and Eternal Priest, consecrated as true priests of the New Testament and as such, united with the priesthood of their Bishop, they will be preachers of the Gospel, Shepherds of the People of God and will preside over the actions of worship, especially in the celebration of the Lord's sacrifice.
As to you, beloved sons and brothers, who are to be promoted to the order of the presbyterate, consider that as you exercise the ministry of Sacred Doctrine, you will participate in the mission of Christ, the only Teacher. Share the Word of God with all people, the Word that you yourselves have received with joy. Always remember your history, the gift of the Word that the Lord has given you through your mothers, your grandmothers - as Saint Paul says - the catechists and the entire Church. Read and ponder diligently the Word of God so that you may believe what you read, teach what you have learned in faith and live what you teach.
Thus may the People of God be nourished by your doctrine, and your joy, and may Christ's faithful be supported by the perfume of your life, so that through your word and your example - they go hand in hand: word and example - they may together build up the house of God which is the Church. You will continue the sanctifying work of Christ. Through your ministry, the spiritual sacrifice of the faithful will be perfected, joined to the sacrifice of Christ that by your hands, in the name of all the Church, will be offered in an un-bloody manner at the altar in the celebration of the Sacred Mysteries.
Be conscious of what you do. Imitate what you celebrate, so that participating in the mystery of the death and resurrection of the Lord, you will bear witness to the death of Chris in your bodies and walk with Him in a newness of life. Carry within yourselves the death of Christ, and walk with Christ in a newness of life. Without the cross, you will never find the true Jesus, for a cross without Jesus makes no sense.
Through Baptism, welcome new members of the faithful into the People of God. With the Sacrament of Penance, forgive sins in the name of Christ and the Church. And, please, in the name of this same Jesus Christ, the Lord, and in the name of the Church, I ask you to be merciful, so merciful. With holy oil, give comfort to the sick. Celebrate the sacred rites and at various hours of the day, offer prayers of praise and supplication, giving voice to the concerns of the People of God and of all humanity.
Consider that you have been chosen from among men. Chosen, never forget this. Chosen! It is the Lord who has called you, personally. Chosen from among men and created on their behalf, not on my behalf!
In filial communion with your Bishop, strive to unite the faithful in one family, and lead them to God the Father through Christ and in the Holy Spirit. Always keep before your eyes the example of the Good Shepherd, who did not come to be served but in order to serve; to seek out and to save those who were lost.
Present to concelebrate this morning with the Holy Father were: Cardinal Agostino Vallini, Vicar General of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome; His Excellency, Filippo Iannone, Assistant Director; the Auxiliary Bishops and Superiors from the above-mentioned Seminaries; and the Pastors of the parishes to which the Ordinandi belong.
Homily of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
for the Ordination of priests for the Diocese of Rome
The homily which the Holy Father pronounced during the Eucharistic celebration followed the ritual homily proposed in the Italian edition of the Roman Pontifical for the Ordination of Priests, with some additions which he included for their consideration.
Beloved brothers,
These, our sons and brothers have been called to the order of the Presbyterate. As you know well, the Lord Jesus is the only High Priest of the New Covenant, but in Him all the holy people of God also constitute a priestly people. Nevertheless, from among all his disciples, the Lord Jesus wishes to choose some in particular, so that they may exercise publicly in the Church the priestly office in his name for the sake of all people, continuing his personal mission as teacher, priest and shepherd.
After mature reflection, we are now to raise these our brothers to the order of presbyters, so that at the service of Christ, the Teacher, Priest and Shepherd, they may work with Him to build up the Body of Christ which is the Church, the People of God and the Holy Temple of the Spirit.
In fact, they will be configured to Christ, the High and Eternal Priest, consecrated as true priests of the New Testament and as such, united with the priesthood of their Bishop, they will be preachers of the Gospel, Shepherds of the People of God and will preside over the actions of worship, especially in the celebration of the Lord's sacrifice.
As to you, beloved sons and brothers, who are to be promoted to the order of the presbyterate, consider that as you exercise the ministry of Sacred Doctrine, you will participate in the mission of Christ, the only Teacher. Share the Word of God with all people, the Word that you yourselves have received with joy. Always remember your history, the gift of the Word that the Lord has given you through your mothers, your grandmothers - as Saint Paul says - the catechists and the entire Church. Read and ponder diligently the Word of God so that you may believe what you read, teach what you have learned in faith and live what you teach.
Thus may the People of God be nourished by your doctrine, and your joy, and may Christ's faithful be supported by the perfume of your life, so that through your word and your example - they go hand in hand: word and example - they may together build up the house of God which is the Church. You will continue the sanctifying work of Christ. Through your ministry, the spiritual sacrifice of the faithful will be perfected, joined to the sacrifice of Christ that by your hands, in the name of all the Church, will be offered in an un-bloody manner at the altar in the celebration of the Sacred Mysteries.
Be conscious of what you do. Imitate what you celebrate, so that participating in the mystery of the death and resurrection of the Lord, you will bear witness to the death of Chris in your bodies and walk with Him in a newness of life. Carry within yourselves the death of Christ, and walk with Christ in a newness of life. Without the cross, you will never find the true Jesus, for a cross without Jesus makes no sense.
Through Baptism, welcome new members of the faithful into the People of God. With the Sacrament of Penance, forgive sins in the name of Christ and the Church. And, please, in the name of this same Jesus Christ, the Lord, and in the name of the Church, I ask you to be merciful, so merciful. With holy oil, give comfort to the sick. Celebrate the sacred rites and at various hours of the day, offer prayers of praise and supplication, giving voice to the concerns of the People of God and of all humanity.
Consider that you have been chosen from among men. Chosen, never forget this. Chosen! It is the Lord who has called you, personally. Chosen from among men and created on their behalf, not on my behalf!
In filial communion with your Bishop, strive to unite the faithful in one family, and lead them to God the Father through Christ and in the Holy Spirit. Always keep before your eyes the example of the Good Shepherd, who did not come to be served but in order to serve; to seek out and to save those who were lost.
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