Pope Leo XIV ordained 32 men to the priesthood on Friday, including Australian Fr John Vespa, calling on them to draw inspiration from the many examples of priestly holiness in the Church’s 2000-year history. Source: CNA.
Thousands of priests filled St Peter’s Basilica for the Mass, which was the high point of this week’s Jubilee of Priests.
The diverse group of men ordained hailed from more than 20 countries, including South Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, India, Vietnam, Ukraine, Uganda, Ethiopia and Romania.
“Love God and your brothers and sisters, and give yourselves to them generously,” Pope Leo in his homily told the men about to be ordained, moments before the ordination.
“Be fervent in your celebration of the sacraments, in prayer, especially in adoration before the Eucharist, and in your ministry. Keep close to your flock, give freely of your time and energy to everyone, without reserve and without partiality, as the pierced side of the crucified Jesus and the example of the saints teach us to do.”
The Pope also warned against the lure of superficial worldly success. “All too often, today’s world offers models of success and prestige that are dubious and short-lived. Do not let yourselves be taken in by them!” he said.
“Look rather to the solid example and apostolic fruitfulness, frequently hidden and unassuming, of those who, with faith and dedication, have spent their lives in service of the Lord and their brothers and sisters.”
Fr Vespa told Vatican News that he had been incredibly blessed and honoured to have been selected to be ordained by the new Pope.
The priestly ordinations were held during the Jubilee of Priests and on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which Fr Vespa said was no coincidence.
“The Sacred Heart of Jesus is a model for the heart of the priest, which is love, mercy, sacrifice,” he said. Fr Vespa said Pope Benedict XVI had described priesthood as being born from the heart of Christ
Fr Vespa said he’ll not only bring home an incredible memory, but will also “try to take some pearls of wisdoms” from Pope Leo’s homily and will “live that out in my priestly ministry”.
FULL STORY
Pope Leo XIV ordains 32 priests on Sacred Heart feast (By Courtney Mares, CNA)
Australian priest ordained by Pope: ‘God has always been at work’ (By Kielce Gussie, Vatican News)
Pope Leo XIV ordains Melbourne’s John Vespa to the priesthood (Melbourne Catholic)
