New priests prostrate themselves before Pope Benedict XVI as he leads a mass in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican May 15, 2005. Benedict XVI ordained 21 new priests on Sunday. REUTERS/Max Rossi
Posted on 05/15/2005 4:58:41 AM PDT by NYer
VATICAN CITY - Encouraging obedience and missionary zeal, Pope Benedict XVI ordained a group of new priests Sunday, with many of the men coming from Latin America and Africa as the Roman Catholic Church in Western Europe struggles with falling numbers of recruits for the clergy.
"All of us are part of the network of obedience to the word of Christ," Benedict said in his homily.
"The mission must continuously put us into motion, make us restless, to bring to those who suffer, to those who are in doubt, and even to those who are reluctant, the joy of Christ," Benedict said.
Like his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, Benedict — also rigorously conservative — has dedicated his new papacy to spreading the Gospel worldwide and to shoring up flagging faith among Catholics.
The pontiff is also the bishop of Rome, and the 21 new priests are attached to the Rome diocese.
After a procession through a cloud of incense up the center aisle of the basilica, Benedict, wearing red robes, walked briskly to the main altar and acknowledged the congregation's applause by raising his hands.
The midmorning ceremony was the latest in a series of long public appearances by the 78-year-old pontiff in recent days, and he looked tired at times.
Praying silently, he put his hands on the head of each of the new priests, who, earlier in the ceremony, had lain face down in their white cassocks on a red carpet before him. The new priests promised to serve the faithful for life.
Eleven of the new priests are Italian, while the others come from elsewhere in Europe, Africa and Latin America.
There is a shortage of recruits for the priesthood in many parts of western Europe, including Italy. While Italy's people are predominantly Roman Catholic, many of them worship in churches where Sunday Mass is celebrated by Asian, African or Latin American priests.
Some of the new priests beamed, while others prayed silently after clerics put red robes on them after their ordination.
Most of the men ordained by Benedict are in their late 20s or early 30s, but one of the Italians is 55 and an Irishman in the group is 46. The youngest is 25.
They recited their vows in Italian, some with heavy accents. The nationalities represented included Nigerian, Angolan and Kenyan, Romanian, Uruguayan, Costa Rican, Bolivian and Peruvian.
Catholic faithful in several parts of the world, especially in the United States, have been demoralized by scandals in which priests were accused of sexually molesting young people, many of whom had trusted and admired their parish clergy before the abuse.
Benedict in his homily made no reference to the scandals, but as part of the ritual of the ordination, the pope asked Rome Cardinal Camillo Ruini of the candidates: "`Are you certain they are worthy?"
Ruini assured him they were, based on assessments from their seminaries.
You called him to the holy call of your lordship:
may he be the steward of your divine mysteries,
a chosen priest and a trustworthy leader;
a teacher wise in all virtue for the sake of your flock;
a ministering priest, alert and diligent,
to whom you entrusted the keys of the heavenly Kingdom,
that he may open the doors of repentance
to those who are brought back to you;
a praiseworthy priest,
who increases the evangelical talent
thirty, sixty and one hundred fold;
a chosen priest, who is concerned with keeping your divine precepts.
Sedro for the ordination liturgy - Maronite Catholic Church
I myself didn't think the Pope looked tired at all.
**New priests prostrate themselves before Pope Benedict XVI**
Leave it to the media to get it wrong. The prostration is a symbol of these men serving GOD, not the Pope or other bishop.
At least that has always been my understanding.
According to the explanation I heard on ETWN, they were protrating themselves before the altar in submission to the Holy Spirit and in recognition of the solemnity of the occasion. It has nothing to do with the Pope.
Like I said -- leave it the lamestream media to get it wrong. It basically is a sign of submission and dedication to the life of a priest.
And, yes, and ordination is a very solemn, yet a very joyous occasion. I tear up every time I attend one and the priest's hands are annointed.
Thanks,NYer for the thread. I saw it this morning and it was fantastic! I've never seen an ordination ceremony before and now to be able to witness it in St Peter's basilica was just awesome!
Usually, Zenit (zenit.org) or the Vatican Web site (vatican.va) will have a transcript in English within a few days of when Benedict XVI gives a homily or address/message.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.