Pope tells 32 new priests to be ‘close to the flock’ without distinctions
Today, Leo XIV led the Mass in St Peter's that concluded the Jubilee of priests. Some of the new priests come from India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and South Korea. The pontiff calls for forgiveness, seeking out those who are excluded, and learning from the stories of "missionaries and champions of charity". Ezekiel notes that God's love has “no limits”, and that “there is no place for division and hatred”.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – At 9 am today, Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and 29th World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests, Pope Leo XIV led the Mass at the Altar of Confession in St Peter's Basilica with 32 new priests, bringing to a close the Jubilee dedicated to priests.
The newly ordained priests come from all over the world, including a Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, South Korea). “Keep close to your flock, give freely of your time and energy to everyone, without reserve and without partiality,” the pontiff told them.
At the end of his homily, Leo turned to the ordinands, who immediately received the imposition of hands. He told them something “simple” but “important for your future and for the future of the souls entrusted to your care.”
“Love God and your brothers and sisters, and give yourselves to them generously. Be fervent in your celebration of the sacraments, in prayer, especially in adoration before the Eucharist, and in your ministry,” which comes from the “pierced side of the crucified Jesus and the example of the saints”.
The pope reminded them, “that the Church, in the two thousand years of her history, has had – and today continues to have – wonderful examples of priestly holiness.”
Since her origins, there have been “missionaries and champions of charity”, whose lives should be cherished as a “treasure”, for they can inspire and represent a model to follow in one’s own priestly ministry. The pope urged the 32 to “learn their stories, study their lives and work, imitate their virtues, be inspired by their zeal, and invoke their intercession often and insistently!”
As today's world too often proposes "questionable and inconsistent models of success and prestige. Do not let yourselves be fascinated by them,” added the bishop of Rome. “Look rather to the solid example and apostolic fruitfulness, frequently hidden and unassuming,” and “Keep their memory alive by your own example of fidelity.”
At the beginning of his homily, Leo expressed the “joy” of celebrating the Eucharist in the context of the Jubilee, at the tomb of the Apostle Peter.
“To speak of the Heart of Christ in this context is to reflect on the entire mystery of the Lord’s incarnation, death and resurrection, which is entrusted in a special way to us, so that we can make it present in our world.”
This was followed by a commentary on the readings of the day. In the first, from the Book of Ezekiel (Ez 34:11-16), God is represented as “a shepherd who watches over his flock,” who searches for the “lost” and “wounded”.
The prophet “reminds us, in this age of vast and devastating conflicts, that the love of God has no limits. We are called to let ourselves be embraced and shaped by that love”. In his eyes, “there is no place for division and hatred of any kind.”
In the second reading, from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (Rm 5,5b-11), the Apostle of the Gentiles “exhorts us to entrust ourselves, along a daily path of conversion, to the transforming power of his Spirit who dwells in our hearts,” Leo noted.
God never abandons us, for “we are called to cooperate with him, above all by putting the Eucharist at the center of our lives,” through the sacraments and prayer. In today’s Gospel (cf. Lk 15:3-7), God is full of joy “at the return of even one of his sheep to the fold.”
“We are called to [. . .] to be a source of harmony in the midst of our brother priests. We do so by bearing on our shoulders those who are lost, granting forgiveness to those who have erred, seeking out those who have gone astray or been left behind, and caring for those who suffer in body or spirit.” This leads to “a great exchange of love”.
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