Skip to content

Pope Leo XIV celebrates the 43rd anniversary of his ordination

Pope Leo XIV celebrated the 43rd anniversary of his priestly ordination Thursday

Pope Leo XIV celebrated the 43rd anniversary of his priestly ordination Thursday. On June 19, 1982, Robert Prevost was ordained a priest by Belgian Archbishop Jean Jadot in St. Monica Chapel, located just outside the Vatican. He was 26 years old. He entered the Augustinian order in 1977 and took his first vows on Sept. 2, 1978.

FIND THE POPE’S BIOGRAPHY HERE

St. Monica Chapel, located next to the Plaza del Santo Oficio — where the pontiff currently resides — holds particular symbolic value for Leo XIV. Not only was it the place of his ordination, but it was also the titular church assigned to him as a cardinal in September 2023, about a year and a half before his election to the papacy on May 8 of this year.

According to Vatican News, the commemorative holy card for his ordination includes an image of the Last Supper, taken from 15th-century Russian iconography, and words from St. Augustine that still resonate powerfully in his ministry today: “I cannot feed you with ordinary bread, but this Word is your portion. I feed you with the same table that feeds me. I am your servant.”

These words — taken from the bishop of Hippo’s 339th sermon — defined the spirituality of the young Augustinian priest, who would soon be sent as a missionary to Peru, where he ministered for almost two decades.

Also in his work “Exposition on the Psalms (Psalm 103, III, 9),” St. Augustine said: “You are a good servant of Christ if you serve those whom Christ has served … May he grant us to perform this service well.”

This spirit of service was evoked by Pope Leo XIV himself in the homily he preached when for the first time as the bishop of Rome he ordained 11 deacons to the priesthood.

“The love of Christ in fact possesses us!” the pope exclaimed. “It is a possession that liberates and enables us not to possess anyone. Liberate, not possess. We belong to God: There is no greater wealth to appreciate and share. It is the only wealth that, when shared, multiplies.”

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER HERE 

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

More news related to this article

Gaza Priest After Speaking With Pope Francis: ‘We Rejoice To Hear His Voice’

Father Gabriel Romanelli, IVE, pastor of Holy Family Parish, Gaza’s only Catholic parish, spoke with Pope Francis on Tuesday despite the pontiff’s critical hospitalization for bilateral pneumonia.

Pope Leo XIV could visit Lebanon before the end of the year, patriarch says

Pope Leo XIV could visit Lebanon before the end of the year, the leader of the country’s Maronite Catholics said Tuesday.

American Cardinals in the Next Conclave: Who They Are and Why They Matter

Ten Cardinal-electors are from the United States. Who are they? And how might they influence the upcoming Conclave 2025?

Italian Bishops Welcome Fiducia supplicans: “It is Situated on the Horizon of Mercy”

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, has announced that the country's bishops have welcomed the Fiducia supplicans declaration, "a document situated on the horizon of mercy."

BREAKING: Habemus papam! Cardinal Robert Prevost elected as Pope Leo XIV

White smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel today at 6:09 p.m. Rome time, signaling the College of Cardinals has chosen a new pope.

LIVE from St. Peter Square | Regina Coeli with Pope Francis | May 28th, 2023

LIVE from St. Peter Square | Join us for the recitation of the Regina Coeli prayer led by

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNit