Pope Leo XIV ordered 32 priests on Friday in the framework of the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, urging them to be inspired by the numerous examples of priestly holiness in the 2000 years of history of the Catholic Church and share the love of God with the world.
Thousands of presbyters filled the Basilica of San Pedro for the Mass held this June 27, the culminating moment of the jubilee of the priests. The new priests come from more than 20 countries, including Italy, Croatia, Brazil, Ukraine, South Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, India, Vietnam, Ukraine, Uganda, Ethiopia and Romania, among others.
Receive the main news of ACI Press by WhatsApp and Telegram
It is increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social networks. Subscribe to our free channels today:
“Love God and his brothers and sisters, and enter them generously,” said Pope Leo XIV during his homily, moments before ordination.
“Be fervent in the celebration of the sacraments, in prayer, especially in worship before the Eucharist, and in their ministry. Keep together with your flock, generously dedicate their time and energy to all, without reservations or partiality, as they teach us the transfer of Jesus crucified and the example of the saints,” he added.
In front of the altar built on the tomb of San Pedro, the men who were ordered lay on the marble floor of the basilica, while Miles sang the litanies of the saints.
The Basilica of San Pedro, the largest church in the world, was almost completely full of ranks and ranks of priests with white, kneeling clothing. Pope Leo XIV prevented his hands on the head of each of the 32 young people whom he ordered the priesthood.
Pope Leo XIV highlighted the centuries of testimonies of priests who “have been martyrs, tireless apostles, missionaries and defenders of charity,” urging the new presbyters to “appreciate this treasure: learn from their stories, study their lives and works, imitate their virtues, inspire themselves in their zeal and invoke their intercession with frequency.”
The pontiff also called to be alert against the temptation of superficial and mundane success. “Too often, the current world offers dubious and ephemeral prestige models. Do not be fooled by them!” He said. “They contemplate the solid example and the apostolic fertility, often hidden and modest, of whom, with faith and dedication, they have dedicated their lives to the service of the Lord and his brothers.”
The ordinations had a special meaning for many of the young people, some of whom were in Rome for the first time.
“I received the news with tears in my eyes, but with joy. I would never have expected it. For me it is the proof of how God acts in life. He has a perfect plan. You just have to trust,” said Jiergue Stanley, a 35 -year -old Haitian who traveled to the eternal city for the first time to be ordered.
Gilbert Tika, from Ghana, told Ewtn News Nightly before his ordination: “It is wonderful to be ordered by the Pope, Pope León. I think it is a special gift that God is giving me to me and the other brothers who will also be ordered.”
“Being a priest for me means being a sign of hope for the people I live with, with whom I will exercise my ministry,” he added. “Practice the habit of looking at things with the eyes of Jesus Christ. And help others look at the world through the eyes of Christ and make people feel they are still loved by God,” he said.
Another of the newly ordered priests, the Mexican Jorge Antonio Escobedo Rosales, 27, said: “I accepted this gift with great joy after 13 years of priestly training.”
Pope Leo XIV greeted each of the new priests with great emotion after the ordination rites, hugging them under Bernini’s bucket.
“Our hope is based on the certainty that the Lord never abandons us: he is always by our side,” said the Holy Father. “At the same time, we are called to cooperate with him, especially putting the Eucharist in the center of our lives, for being ‘source and culmination of Christian life.”
The Pontiff also cited a phrase of a homily that St. Augustine pronounced on the anniversary of his episcopal ordination: “For you I am Bishop, with you I am a Christian,” highlighting the joyful fruit of the communion that unites faithful, priests and bishops in the recognition that all are saved by the same mercy of God.
In the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, who focuses on the love of Christ shed for humanity, Pope Leo Xiv reaffirmed his commitment to ecclesial unity and peace. “The priestly ministry is of sanctification and reconciliation for the building of the body of Christ in unity,” he said.
“At the solemn inauguration mass of my pontificate (on May 18), I expressed before the people of God my great desire for ‘a united church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a ferment for a reconciled world’. Today I share this desire once again with all of you,” he continued.
The solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which is celebrated on Friday that follows the Corpus Christi, has its origin in 17th -century France thanks to the visions of Santa Margarita María Alacoque. It was officially instituted by Pope Pius IX in 1856 and has become an important Catholic date that emphasizes the love of Christ and the call to compassion and repair.
The last encyclical of Pope Francis, Loves usaddresses devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
“Reconciled with each other, united and transformed by the love that springs abundantly from the heart of Christ, let’s walk together with humility and determination following their footprints,” said Pope Leo XIV.
“We carry the peace of the risen Lord to our world, with the freedom that is born of knowing us loved, chosen and sent by the Father,” he encouraged.
Translated and adapted by the ACI Press team. Originally published by CNA.
Courtney Mares
Courtney Mares is correspondent in the Vatican of Catholic News Agency (CNA), Ewtn News agency. Graduate from Harvard University, has reported from news offices on three continents and received the Gardner scholarship for its work with North Korean refugees.