Urges Them to Be Close to the Eucharist
VATICAN CITY, APRIL 29, 2007 (Zenit.org).- At a Mass in which he ordained 22 men to the priesthood, Benedict XVI spoke on what it means to be a priest.
"Each one of you," The Pope said today to the ordinands, "will become a good shepherd with Jesus' help, ready even to give your life for him if it is necessary."
The sacrament of holy orders, the Holy Father said in his homily, "makes you participants in Christ's own mission; you will be called to sow the seed of his Word -- the seed that bears in itself the Kingdom of God -- to dispense God's mercy and to feed the faithful at the table of the body and the blood."
Benedict XVI said: "To be worthy ministers you will have to unceasingly nourish yourselves by the Eucharist, the source and summit of Christian life.
"Draw near to the altar, your daily school of sanctity, of communion with Jesus, the way of entering into his sentiments; draw near to the altar to renew the sacrifice of the cross, you will discover the richness and tenderness of the divine master's love more and more.
"He is the one who is calling you today to a more intimate friendship with him."
"If you will listen to him with docility, if you will follow him faithfully, you will learn how to translate his love and passion for the salvation of souls into everyday life," the Pope added.
"Indestructible hope"
The Holy Father continued: "May the certainty that Christ will not abandon you and that no obstacle can stand in the way of his universal design of salvation be for you a reason for constant consolation -- even on the difficult days -- and indestructible hope.
"The goodness of the Lord is always with you and it is strong."
"Despite misunderstandings and problems," said Benedict XVI, "the apostle of Christ does not lose his joy, indeed he is the witness of that joy that flows from being with the Lord, from love for him and one's brothers."
After the homily, and as the candidates lay prostrate on the floor, those present in St. Peter's Basilica, many of whom were relatives and friends, intoned the Litany of the Saints.
Afterward the Pope placed his hands on the heads of the candidates, repeating the gesture of the first apostles.
The new priests concelebrated their first Mass with Benedict XVI; Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the Pope's vicar for Rome; Bishop Luigi Moretti, Vice vicar for Rome; the auxiliary bishops of the Diocese of Rome; and the superiors of the respective seminaries.
Of the newly ordained men, 11 are from the Major Seminary of Rome, eight are from Redemptoris Mater -- the Roman seminary of the Neocatechumenal Way -- and the other three are from the Seminary of Divine Love, the Capranica College of Rome and the congregation of the Legionaries of Christ.
Code: ZE07042906
Date: 2007-04-29