St. Louis Archdiocese ordains largest number of priests in 21 years

Published: 2008-05-29

ST. LOUIS (CNS) -- When Archbishop Raymond L. Burke of St. Louis ordained nine men to the priesthood for the archdiocese May 24, it was the largest ordination class for the archdiocese since 1987. In addition five other seminarians from St. Louis were being ordained in coming weeks for other dioceses. In his homily at the ordination Mass, Archbishop Burke urged the congregation to pray for the nine men "so that they may always and in everything conform themselves to the grace conferred upon them in ordination, that they may be holy shepherds of the flock whom God the Father entrusts to their pastoral care." The archbishop urged the nine men to be "attentive to guide God's people in the way of justice which leads to lasting peace." He also told them their "priestly teaching and guidance will inspire and strengthen all of the faithful in the transformation of the culture of violence and death, in which we live, into a civilization of selfless love and life."

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