During the Chrism Mass Pope Francis asked priests to go to the “outskirts,” where they are most needed. Words reminiscent of Frederic “Let us go to the poor”.
“Dear priests, may God the Father renew in us the Spirit of holiness with whom we have been anointed. May he renew his Spirit in our hearts, that this anointing may spread to everyone, even to those ‘outskirts’ where our faithful people most look for it and most appreciate it.”
“The Lord will say this clearly: his anointing is meant for the poor, prisoners and the sick, for those who are sorrowing and alone. The ointment is not intended just to make us fragrant, much less to be kept in a jar, for then it would become rancid … and the heart bitter. ”
“This is precisely the reason why some priests grow dissatisfied, lose heart and become in some sense collectors of antiques or novelties – instead of being shepherds living with “the smell of the sheep”, shepherds in the midst of their flock, fishers of men.”
He asked all Christian to join priest, and help them with their affection and prayer to become “shepherds according to God’s heart.”
Below please find the official text of Pope Francis’ Homily for Chrism Mass, Holy Thursday 2013
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