The ceremony was presided over in the Basilica of Saint Eugene in Rome by Bishop Ricardo García, Bishop of the Prelature of Yauyos-Cañete-Huarochirí (Peru).

Photo: Flickr-Opus Dei Communications Office.

Newsroom (30/05/2022 8:00 PM, Gaudium Press) On Saturday, May 21, a group of 24 deacons belonging to Opus Dei were ordained in a celebration presided by Bishop Ricardo García, Bishop of the Prelature of Yauyos-Cañete-Huarochirí (Peru), in the Basilica of San Eugenio in Rome.

During the ceremony, concelebrated by Bishop Fernando Ocáriz, prelate of Opus Dei, priests were ordained from the following countries: Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Spain, United States, Philippines, France, Mexico, and Switzerland.  

Eucharist, Penance, and ministry of the Word

Turning to the newly ordained priests, Bishop Ricardo García encouraged them to have great Eucharistic devotion, always be grateful for the sacrament of Penance, and dedicate themselves in a special way to the ministry of the Word.

“Being a priest implies being a messenger of the Word of God: from now on, you will have the opportunity and the privilege of helping many people to know the life of Jesus better and to deepen the riches of our Faith,” he stressed.

The soul of the priesthood is the ministry of charity through service

According to the Bishop, the soul of the priesthood is the ministry of charity through service, and its task is “to meditate and contemplate the mysteries of Christ, being, as St. Josemaría Escrivá invited us, one more character of the Gospels.”

In concluding his homily, Bishop Ricardo García urged those present to pray for peace in these times of war in which we live, uniting to the prayer of Pope Francis and the whole Church. He entrusted the newly ordained priests to our Lady. (EPC)

Compiled by Dominic Joseph