Pope Benedict XVI’s Homily at the Episcopal Ordination in St Peter’s Basilica, Rome

(September 12, 2009) Pope Benedict XVI ordained five Bishops at St Peter’s Basilica, Rome on Saturday, 12^th of September at the solemn high mass that commenced at 10 am. In his homily the Holy Father explained the meaning and significance of the Episcopal Ordination. He said that the sacrament is conferred by the laying on of hands and prayer. The imposition of hands takes place in silence. The soul opens in silence for God, whose hand stretched out toward the man, takes him as he is and, covers him in order to protect him, so that he is totally owned by God. Secondly, the Pope said the it is an event of prayer. It is the Lord himself who, through word of prayer and the gesture of the hands, takes man totally to his service, draws him in his own priesthood, so that his word and his work are present at all times. The Holy Father explained that “The consecrated must be filled with the Spirit of God and life from him should bring good tidings to the poor, true freedom and hope that gives life and heals the man. He must determine the Priesthood of Christ among men, in the order of Melchizedek, which is the kingdom of justice and peace.” The Priesthood, said the Pontiff is for service as Jesus did, for he came as a servant of all. Even St Paul speaks to the Corinthians of the leader’s role as a servant. The characteristics of the servant are: first, fidelity and loyalty to the master, secondly, Prudence based on truth and sincerity and finally to be good and faithful indicating the intense communion with God, a growing interior union with Him. Finally the Pontiff reminded them to follow the example of Mary, the Star of the Sea, the humble handmaid, who said willingly her yes to God.