Pope encourages priests to be inspired by Christ's sacrifice, love

Published: 2007-04-05

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI encouraged today's priests to be inspired by Christ's sacrifice and love for others as they face their "tremendously heavy" burden of pastoral responsibilities. The pope made the comments April 5 at a chrism Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, where he led more than 1,000 priests and bishops in a renewal of their ordination promises. The pope, presiding over the first of two Holy Thursday liturgies, blessed the chrism and the oils used in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, ordination and the anointing of the sick. They were carried to the altar in silver urns by groups of catechumens, youths preparing for confirmation, the sick and deacons about to be ordained in the Diocese of Rome.

Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .