For 19 deacon, May 19, 2019, will be a day they will remember forever. Not only were they ordained to the priesthood but it happened in St. Peter’s Basilica at the hands of Pope Francis.
The homily the Holy Father gave in the course of the Eucharistic Celebration was, in essence, the Homily provided in the Ritual for the Ordination of Presbyters, to which, however, he added some of his considerations. And his observations were clear and direct.
“As for you, dear brothers and sons, who are about to be promoted to the Order of the Presbyterate, consider that exercising the ministry of the Sacred Doctrine you will be participants in the mission of Christ, sole Teacher,” the Pope said. “This isn’t a cultural association; it isn’t a syndicate. You will be participants in Christ’s ministry.
“Dispense that Word of God to all, which you yourselves received with joy. And to this end, read and meditate assiduously the Word of the Lord to believe what you have read, to teach what you have learned in the faith and to live what you have taught. A homily and preaching can never be made without much prayer, with the Bile in hand. Don’t forget this.”
The Holy Father went on to remind those about to be ordained of the sacramental graces they will bring to others. He urged them to carry out their ministry with gladness and charity. He stressed the importance of being merciful when carrying out the sacrament of penance.
“With Baptism, you will add new faithful to the People of God,” Francis said. “With the Sacrament of Penance, you will remit sins in the Name of God, of Christ and of the Church. And here, I ask you, please, not to tire of being merciful. Merciful as the Father, as Jesus was merciful with us, with all of us.
“With the holy oil, you will give relief to the infirm. Spend time visiting the sick and the infirm. By celebrating the sacred rites and raising a prayer of praise and supplication in the various hours of the day, you will make yourselves the voice of the People of God and of the whole of humanity.”
The Holy Father’s Full Homily
