'You are more fortunate today than the prophet Isaiah,' Pope tells altar servers

August 04, 2015

Speaking on August 4 to thousands of altar servers gathered in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis told them that “being close to Jesus and knowing him in the Eucharist through your service at the altar, enables you to open yourselves to others, to journey together, to set demanding goals and to find the strength to achieve them.”

The Pope congratulated the young people, who were participating in the 9th International Pilgrimage of Acolytes and Altar Servers, for having “withstood the heat of the sun in Rome in August.” Before the Pope’s arrival, Vatican officials gently played a hose on the crowd to give them some relief as temperatures soared.

In his remarks, the Pope spoke about how God revealed himself to the prophet Isaiah, and observed: “It is always God who makes the first move in our life; God is the one drawing close.” He draws close especially in the Eucharist, the Holy Father said.

“You are more fortunate today than the prophet Isaiah,” Pope Francis continued, explaining that Isaiah never had the opportunity to serve at the altar where Jesus becomes bodily. The Pontiff went on to say that “the closer you are to the altar, the more you will remember to speak with Jesus in daily prayer; the more you will be nourished by the Word and the Body of the Lord, the better able you will be to go out to others, bringing them the gift that you have received, giving in turn with enthusiasm the joy you have received.”

 

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Further information:

• Pope meets with altar servers in St Peter's Square (Vatican Radio)