On the Solemnity of the Sacred Coronary heart of Jesus, Pope Leo XIV ordains 32 new monks and invitations them to at all times keep near the Lord and let themselves be consistently formed by His Love.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
“Our hope is grounded within the data that the Lord by no means abandons us: He’s at all times at our aspect.”
Pope Leo XIV expressed this on the Mass for the ordination of latest monks that passed off in St. Peter’s Basilica on the Solemnity of the Sacred Coronary heart of Jesus, 27 June, which additionally marks the Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Monks.
This yr, the day is noticed as a part of the Jubilee of Monks, which Pope Leo noticed holds particular which means for his brother monks, who “handed via the Holy Door to wish on the tomb of the Apostle Peter” and immerse their “baptismal and priestly clothes as soon as extra within the Coronary heart of the Savior,” and for the 32 newly-ordained monks.
On this context, the Pope reminded them of their having been entrusted with making current on the earth your entire thriller of the Lord’s Incarnation, Dying and Resurrection, earlier than reflecting on how monks contribute to the work of salvation.
Let God’s love form you
The Pope recalled that within the first studying, the Prophet Ezekiel describes God as a shepherd who watches over his flock, counting his sheep one after the other, searching for out the misplaced, binding up the wounded, and strengthening the weak and sick.
“He thus reminds us, on this age of huge and devastating conflicts, that the love of God has no limits,” Pope Leo stated, underscoring, “We’re referred to as to let ourselves be embraced and formed by that love, and to comprehend that in God’s eyes—and our personal as effectively—there is no such thing as a place for division and hatred of any type.”
Each day path of conversion
The Holy Father recalled that within the second studying, St. Paul reminds us that God reconciled us to Himself “whereas we had been nonetheless weak” and “sinful.”
With this consciousness, the Holy Father stated, “He exhorts us to entrust ourselves, alongside a each day path of conversion, to the reworking energy of His Spirit who dwells in our hearts.”
“Our hope,” Pope Leo continued, “is grounded within the data that the Lord by no means abandons us: He’s at all times at our aspect. On the identical time, we’re referred to as to cooperate with Him, above all by placing the Eucharist on the middle of our lives, inasmuch as it’s ‘the supply and summit of the Christian life.’”
Pope Leo XIV presides over Ordination Mass (27 June 2025) (@Vatican Media)
A part of this accountability, Pope Leo reminded, requires “the fruitful reception of the sacraments, particularly via the frequent apply of sacramental penance,” in addition to prayer, meditating upon God’s Phrase, exercising charity and conforming our hearts ever extra carefully to that of God.
Pleasure of each shepherd
Subsequent, the Holy Father remembered that at this time’s Gospel in response to St. Luke speaks of the enjoyment of God, Pope Leo stated, particularly that of every shepherd overjoyed when even one in every of his sheep returns to the fold.
Accordingly, the Pope stated monks are referred to as to train pastoral charity “with a beneficiant love, like that of the Father,” and to foster of their hearts “the need that nobody be misplaced,” however that everybody, additionally via their ministry, “could come to know Christ and have everlasting life in Him.”
“We’re referred to as to deepen our closeness to Jesus,” he stated.
Pope Leo XIV presides over Ordination Mass (27 June 2025) (@Vatican Media)
Harmonizing variations, with nobody feeling ignored
The priestly ministry, the Holy Father confused, is one in every of sanctification and reconciliation for the build up of the Physique of Christ in unity. For that reason, he acknowledged, the Second Vatican Council exhorted monks to make each effort to “lead all to the unity of charity,” harmonizing variations in order that “nobody… could really feel ignored”
With this in thoughts, Pope Leo recalled that within the solemn Mass inaugurating his preach, he voiced his nice want for “a united Church, an indication of unity and communion, which turns into a leaven for a reconciled world,” noting that at this time he once more shares this want.
“Reconciled with each other, united and reworked by the love that flows abundantly from the Coronary heart of Christ,” he implored, “allow us to stroll collectively humbly and resolutely in His footsteps, agency in religion and open to all in charity.”
“Allow us to deliver,” he urged, “the peace of the Risen Lord to our world, with the liberty born of the data that now we have been beloved, chosen and despatched by the Father.”
Easy however necessary recommendation for the brand new monks
The Pope then stated he wished to supply a phrase to the ordinands who, in moments, would develop into monks; “What I’ve to say is straightforward, however I take into account it necessary in your future and for the way forward for the souls entrusted to your care.”
First, he stated, “love God and your brothers and sisters, and provides yourselves to them generously.”
Second, he exhorted, “be fervent in your celebration of the sacraments, in prayer, particularly in adoration earlier than the Eucharist, and in your ministry.”
Third, he urged, “maintain near your flock, give freely of your time and power to everybody, with out reserve and with out partiality, because the pierced aspect of the crucified Jesus and the instance of the saints educate us to do.”
And fourth, he requested, “keep in mind that the Church, within the two thousand years of her historical past, has had – and at this time continues to have – great examples of priestly holiness.”
Cherish the treasure of stable and holy monks over the centuries
On this context, the Pope reminded that from the earliest communities on, the Church has raised up monks who’ve been martyrs, tireless apostles, missionaries, and champions of charity. “Cherish this treasure: be taught their tales, examine their lives and work, imitate their virtues, be impressed by their zeal, and invoke their intercession typically and insistently!”
“All too typically,” he lamented, “at this time’s world gives fashions of success and status which might be doubtful and short-lived. Don’t let yourselves be taken in by them! Look somewhat to the stable instance and apostolic fruitfulness, ceaselessly hidden and unassuming, of those that, with religion and dedication, have spent their lives in service of the Lord and their brothers and sisters,” he stated, saying, “Hold their reminiscence alive by your individual instance of constancy.”
Lastly, the Holy Father invited the brand new monks to entrust themselves to the loving safety of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mom of monks and Mom of hope. “Could she direct and maintain our steps, so that every day we could conform our hearts extra carefully to that of Christ, the supreme and everlasting Shepherd.”
Pope Leo XIV presides over Ordination Mass (@Vatican Media)
