Pope Francis arrives to celebrate a Mass for late cardinals and bishops at St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on Nov. 3.

For every Christian, but especially for those called to ministry, God’s gift of life is a call to serve others, Pope Francis said at a memorial Mass for bishops and cardinals who have died in the past year.

“The meaning of life is found in our response to God’s offer of love. And that response is made up of true love, self-giving and service,” the Pope said on Nov. 3 during Mass at the Altar of the Chair in St Peter’s Basilica.

The memorial Mass is an annual fixture on the Pope’s calendar for November, the month the church dedicates to remembering the dead.

The Vatican said that over the last 12 months some 154 bishops and nine cardinals, including U.S. Cardinal Bernard F. Law, have passed away.

“As we pray for the cardinals and bishops who have passed away in this last year,” the Pope said in his homily, “let us beg the intercession of all those who lived unassuming lives, content to prepare daily to meet the Lord.” For the gospel reading, he chose the parable of the 10 bridesmaids and their oil lamps from Matthew 25.