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.”
8 comments:
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".
""Focusing his thoughts on the Sacrament of Penance, the Pope..."
I believe that during my life, from Pope Saint John XXIII to Pope Francis, that His Holiness, Pope Francis has, more than any of the Popes in question, promoted the Holy Sacrament of Penance.
I am certain that God, via His holy instrument, Pope Francis, has returned to life countless souls.
I am sure that the priests ordained by Pope Francis have instilled within them God's great mercy, as reflected by Pope Francis.
Pax.
Mark Thomas
Against the glorious backdrop of St Peter's Basilica the Pope ordains nineteen priests from all over the world - in Italian, hardly a world language. What point is he trying to make?
"What point is he trying to make?"
Probably none. I suspect he was using the language that the vast majority of those attending would understand.
I agree he has no logic in his Cole of liturgical language, but if he wanted to use a language that the vast majority of the multicultural congregation would understand, English would have been it.
Choice of language not Cole, shish!
Father McDonald,
I think you will find this interesting, an article by Dr. Kwasniewski on rebuilding the Liturgy:
http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2019/05/rebuilding-authentic-catholicism-upon.html
Circumstances forced me to go to a local OF parish on Sunday. About 60% full (10 years ago, standing room only). 75% of the attendees were grey hairs like me, hardly any children (parish has a fairly vibrant grade school). All throughout this Mass I kept thinking, what will attendance be like in 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, as the elders die off?
TJM
The only OF Mass I attend these days is at the Oxford Oratory. It is Solemn, ad 'orientem', with an excellent choir and organist. Apart from the lessons and the 'bidding prayers' it is in Latin, and the Roman Canon is used.
The congregation is composed of people of all ages, including those with young families. What attracts them is the dignity and reverence of the celebration, the quality of the music, and the Latin. Visitors, who probably never encounter Latin in their own parishes, favourably comment on this.
Since Easter there has been an innovation. The entrance procession has been replaced with the Asperges/Vidi Aquam in the older form, followed by the Gregorian Introit as per the Liber Usualis.
There are rumours that Oxford may follow Birmingham and move to the EF for this Mass (there is a Low EF Mass at 8 am and a 'family Mass' in English at 10 am so no-one is being dragooned into accepting either form). The Saturday evening Mass is also in English.
John Nolan,
I am pleased to learn they are using the Asperges/Vidi Aquam, a wonderful and venerable ceremony. Even the EF Masses I attend do not have this very often. The Oxford Oratory sounds wonderful.
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