SW News: On Saturday, May 20, Rome witnessed the ordination of 25 membes of the Prelature of Opus Dei to the priesthood. Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, presided over the ordination Mass that took place at St. Eugene’s Basilica in Rome.

The newly ordained priests come from a wide variety of backgrounds including engineering and teaching. They hail from countries including Nigeria, Spain and Mexico.

During the homily, Cardinal Lazarus reminded that Jesus was “taking 25 men to make them his instruments, His ministers!” He told the newly ordained priests, “But it will not be you alone who will act — you would not be able to — but Christ who will act through you.” The cardinal continued, “And He does not make you His instruments only for a period of time, but forever, as we sang in the Psalm. A new union is established between you and Jesus today, which will never dissolve.”

St. Josemaría Escrivá, who was referred to as the “saint of ordinary” by Pope John Paul II, founded Opus Dei in 1928 to support priests and laymen pursue holiness through their everyday life. Currently, this Roman Catholic prelature has presence across 90 countries all around the globe, with 90,000 members. Its membership comprises of unmarried and married members as well as priests.