The Holy Father performs the imposition of hands on Father Juan Carlos Mari, L.C.

On Sunday April 29, the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI ordained 22 deacons of the diocese of Rome in Saint Peter’s Basilica. He did this in keeping with John Paul II´s tradition dating back to 1993 of personally ordaining the new priests of the diocese of Rome on the fourth Sunday of Easter, also known as “Good Shepherd Sunday”. This day coincided with the celebration of the 44th World Day of Prayer for Vocations. All the legionaries and consecrated men and women present in Rome were in attendance.

One of the deacons ordained was Father Juan Carlos Mari LC, the son of the long time papal photographer Arturo Mari. The rest of the deacons were from various other seminaries: Redemtoris Mater, the major seminary of the diocese of Rome, Señora del Divino Amor and Colegio Almo Capránica, for seminarians from the diocese of Baní, in the Dominican Republic

Concelebrating with His Holiness

	Entrance procession in Saint Peter’s Basilica. The Holy Father blesses the Legionary brothers standing behind the barrier.

were Cardinal Camillo Ruini, vicar general of His Holiness for the diocese of Rome, the auxiliary bishops of Rome and the superiors of the various seminaries. Also joining them were Father Luis Garza, L.C., vicar general of the Legion of Christ, Father Miguel Segura, L.C., rector of the center for higher studies, and various other legionary priests.

All of the Legionaries and Regnum Christi members around the world are united with the Church in great joy and thanksgiving for these 22 new priests who are dedicated to serving Christ and his Kingdom, and in particular for the ordination of one of our Legionary brothers.

Below, we have provided an English translation of the homily delivered by the Holy Father for the occasion:

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today, the Fourth Sunday of Easter and "Good Shepherd Sunday", is the [44th] World Day of Prayer for Vocations. All the faithful are exhorted to pray especially for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. This morning in St Peter´s Basilica I had the joy of ordaining 22 new priests.

As I greet these new priests with affection together with their relatives, I ask you to remember all those whom the Lord continues to call by name, just as he once called the Apostles on the shores of the Sea of Galilee to become "fishers of men", that is, his closest collaborators in the proclamation of the Gospel and the service of the Kingdom of God in our time.

Let us ask for the gift of perseverance for all priests:  may they stay faithful to prayer, celebrate Holy Mass

	Father Juan Carlos Mari, L.C., responds “present” when his name is called as part of the rite of ordination.

with ever renewed devotion, live listening to the Word of God and day after day assimilate the same sentiments and attitudes as those of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

Let us then pray for those who are preparing to take on the priestly ministry and for the teachers who form them in the seminaries of Rome, Italy, and the whole world. Let us pray for families, so that the "seed" of the call to the presbyteral ministry may continue to mature and flower.

Gifts, ministries as communion

This year, the theme of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations is:  "The vocation to the service of the Church as communion". In presenting the mystery of the Church in our time, the Second Vatican Council gave priority to the category of "communion". In this perspective, the rich variety of gifts and ministries acquires great importance for the People of God.

All the baptized are called to contribute to the work of salvation. In the Church, however, there are some vocations which are dedicated especially to the service of communion.
The person primarily responsible for Catholic communion is the Pope, Successor of Peter and Bishop of Rome; with him, the Bishops, successors of the Apostles, are custodians and teachers of unity, assisted by the priests. But consecrated persons and all the faithful are also at the service of communion.

At the heart of Church communion is the Eucharist:  the different vocations

	The Legionary brothers applaud Father Juan Carlos Mari, L.C., during the closing procession.

draw from this supreme Sacrament the spiritual power to build constantly, in charity, the one ecclesial Body.

Let us now turn to Mary, Mother of the Good Shepherd. May she who responded promptly to God´s call, saying:  "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord" (Lk 1: 38), help all of us to accept with joy and willingness Christ´s invitation to be his disciples, always motivated to be "of one heart and soul" (cf. Acts 4: 32).

After the Regina Caeli the Pope said: 

I extend a cordial greeting to the English-speaking pilgrims! Today, on this "Good Shepherd Sunday", the Church observes the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. In my message for this occasion, I emphasized that the call to ordained and consecrated life in the Church is a call to communion - a communion rooted in the unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As Jesus tells us in the Gospel, "The Father and I are one" (Jn 10: 30).
Today, I invite you to join me in praying that young people will answer this call to communion and the service of the Church by responding generously to Christ´s call to priesthood and Religious life. May God bless you all!
I wish you all a good Sunday.