Pope Francis preaches on the Sacred Heart and priests’ hearts

June 03, 2016

Pope Francis celebrated Mass in St. Peter’s Square on June 3, the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The Mass was the culmination of the jubilee of priests and seminarians, one of the events held during the extraordinary jubilee year of mercy.

“Today we contemplate two hearts: the Heart of the Good Shepherd and our own heart as priests,” the Pope preached.

“The Heart of the Good Shepherd is not only the Heart that shows us mercy, but is itself mercy,” he continued. “The Heart of the Good Shepherd tells us that his love is limitless; it is never exhausted and it never gives up.”

Pope Francis added:

The great riches of the Heart of Jesus are two: the Father and ourselves. His days were divided between prayer to the Father and encountering people. So too the heart of Christ’s priests knows only two directions: the Lord and his people. The heart of the priest is a heart pierced by the love of the Lord. For this reason, he no longer looks to himself, but is turned towards God and his brothers and sisters.

 

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Further information:

• Jubilee for Priests - Holy Mass - 2016.06.03 (YouTube Vatican)
• Booklet for the Celebration
• Homily for Mass of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: full text (Vatican Radio)
• Santa Messa in occasione del Giubileo dei Sacerdoti e dei seminaristi (Holy See Press Office)