Rome: John Paul II ordained 31 priests on May 11, at the Vatican
John Paul II recalled the mission of every priest to be a shepherd and not a mercenary, on the morning of May 11. He had just ordained 31 seminarians of Rome to the priesthood in St. Peters Basilica. Reminding them not only of what a priest must be, but also what the Church and the world expect of him, the Pope highlighted two particular aspects. The priest is, first and foremost, a man of the Word, he affirmed, recalling the importance of committing oneself to being constantly in tune with the Magisterium of the Church. The priest is also a man of the Eucharist, he told the newly ordained, insisting on the importance of the celebration of the Mass and of adoration. Prolong Eucharistic Adoration at the important moments of your life, when you have difficult personal and pastoral decisions to make, at the beginning and the end of each day, said the Sovereign Pontiff. I can assure you that I have done this and I have gained strength, consolation and support from it!
In conclusion, the pope invited the new priests to keep in constant communion with God in prayer and to go regularly to confession, in order to respond worthily to their new mission.
