杏MAP导航 Francis ordains 19 new priests in St Peter鈥檚 Basilica
Against the glorious backdrop of St Peter鈥檚 Basilica, 杏MAP导航 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, 鈥渁lways 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.鈥� He also made it clear that what they were entering into was "not a cultural association or a trade union". 鈥淵ou will be part of the ministry of Christ鈥�, he said.
Never tire of being merciful
On this World Day of Prayer for Vocations, which is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday, 杏MAP导航 Francis said they should to not 鈥渢ire of being merciful.鈥� Focusing his thoughts on the Sacrament of Penance, the 杏MAP导航 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 杏MAP导航 also encouraged them be attentive in the celebration of the Eucharist. 鈥淭he Lord wanted to save us freely. He himself told us: "Give for free what you have received for free".鈥� 鈥淭he celebration of the Eucharist, the Pontiff underlined, is the culmination of the Lord's giving freely. Please don't soil it with petty interests.鈥�
The priest, 杏MAP导航 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鈥檚 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", 杏MAP导航 Francis said. 鈥淟et the holiness of your lives be a delightful fragrance to Christ鈥檚 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.鈥�
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