"You will find strength in intimacy with God"

Remarks by Msgr. Fernando Ocáriz after the priestly ordination of 25 faithful of Opus Dei on 20 May 2023.

Your Eminence, dear Cardinal Lazarus, dear new priests, family and friends:

I want to wish you all joy on this day of thanksgiving to God for the ordination of these 25 new priests. My gratitude goes especially to Cardinal Lazzaro for having conferred this priestly ordination.

Dear new priests, congratulations! Today you have received a great gift from God, for the good of others, especially through the Word and the sacraments. You will always find the strength to carry out your priestly mission, serving the Church in Opus Dei, in intimacy with God. As you are well aware, in times of trial (which you will surely encounter), you will find strength in the celebration of the Eucharist, prayer, the sacrament of Reconciliation, and spiritual direction.

Dear parents and brothers and sisters of the new priests, congratulations! It is a joy to share this happy celebration with you. It is a source of joy in the whole Church and the world, including for the parents who accompany us from afar or from Heaven. As parents, you have collaborated in the most direct way in the growth of the precious gift of your sons' priestly vocation. I ask the Lord to continue to bless your homes.

Let us unite ourselves in prayer to Pope Francis's intentions for the Church and the world. In particular, let us implore God for the gift of peace.

Let us direct our prayers to our Blessed Lady, through Saint Josemaría's intercession, praying especially for these 25 new priests.