Francis ordained 19 new priests today, telling them to be an example "because the example builds”. He urged them not to hurry when they deliver their sermons, nor be boring; never “refuse Baptism to anyone who asks,” and “always keep in mind the example of the Good Shepherd, who came not to be served but to serve; not to stay in his comfort, but to go out to seek and save what was lost.”

Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Pope Francis ordained 19 new priests today in St Peter’s Basilica. In his address, he told them “not to grow weary of being merciful” because in the confessional "you are to going to forgive, not condemn! Imitate the Father who never gets tired of forgiving.”

For the pontiff, priests should be an example, "because the example builds”. They should also be “Aware of being chosen from among men and being favoured among them to attend to the things of God, exercise in joy and sincere charity the priestly work of Christ, intent only on pleasing God and not” themselves.

Today, 52nd World Day of Prayer for Vocations, the pope focused on the role of the Good Shepherd, which awaits those who are ordained. He also underscored their duty to acknowledge what they do and imitate what they celebrate. To do so, they must not be in a hurry in saying Mass and must ensure that their sermons are not boring.

“As for you,” he told the new priests, “you are about to be promoted into the order of the priesthood. Consider that in exercising the ministry of the Holy Doctrine, you will share in the mission of Christ, the only Master. Dispense the word of God to everyone, which you yourselves received with joy. Read and meditate assiduously on the Word of the Lord to believe what you read, teach what you learnt in faith, and live what you taught.

“When you celebrate the Mass, acknowledge what you do. Do not do it in a hurry! Imitate what you celebrate – which is not an artificial rite – in order that, participating in the mystery of death and resurrection of the Lord, you may bring the death of Christ in your limbs”.

Make sure that “your sermons are not boring; that your own homilies reach people's hearts because they come from your heart, because what you are saying is truly what you have in your heart.

The “scent of your life will be the testimony, because the example builds, but words without example are empty words, and will never reach the heart and may even do harm. They do no good!"

In his address, the pope offered a lot of advice. “In Baptism, unite the new faithful to the People of God. Never refuse Baptism to anyone who asks! With the Sacrament of Penance, forgive sins in the name of Christ and the Church.

“I, in the name of Jesus Christ, the Lord, and his Bride, the Holy Church, ask you not to grow weary of being merciful. In the confessional, you are to going to forgive, not condemn! Imitate the Father who never gets tired of forgiving. With holy oil, you will give relief to the sick. Celebrating the sacred rites and directing prayers of praise and supplication at various times of the day, you will be the voice of the People of God and of all humanity.

Be “Aware of being chosen from among men and being favoured among them to attend to the things of God, exercise in joy and sincere charity the priestly work of Christ, intent only on pleasing God and not yourselves. A priest who lives to please himself, who plays the Peacock, is a bad priest!

“Finally, participating in the mission of Christ, head and shepherd, in son-like communion with your bishop, strive to bring together the faithful as one family – as ministers of unity in the Church, and in the family – leading them to God the Father through Christ in the Holy Spirit. And always keep in mind the example of the Good Shepherd, who came not to be served but to serve; not to stay in his comfort, but to go out to seek and save what was lost.”

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