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Pope Leo Urges Seminarians to Focus on Jesus
Confirmed
In Short: Pope Leo XIV met with seminarians from two Italian seminaries, emphasizing the importance of focusing on Jesus and the gratuitous nature of their vocation.
During the meeting in the Vatican’s Clementine Hall, the pope highlighted that every vocation springs from God’s freedom and that seminarians should cultivate their relationship with God through silence and prayer.
He reminded the seminarians that their presence is a sign of hope for the Church, as God continues to call individuals despite their personal merits.
The pope also noted that the seminary experience is crucial in a world that is fast-paced and noisy, emphasizing the need for a place where young men can be formed without taking shortcuts.
Pope Leo XIV encouraged the seminarians to use their years in seminary to ground their formation in a deep personal relationship with God, preparing them to proclaim the beauty of faith in Jesus Christ and serve the Church.
What's confirmed
- “Every vocation is born from an intimate dialogue with God, cultivated in silence and prayer, which often occurs despite the sometimes deafening noise of the world,” the pope said.
- “In a world so eager to celebrate self-realization, it is truly important to reiterate that none of you and none of us are here because we deserve it, but only because of a free choice made by God the Father, a sign and pledge of a gratuitous love that always anticipates us and never disappoints,” Pope Leo told the young men.
- “The priest is sent to all people so that he may proclaim to all the beauty of faith in Jesus Christ, the good news of our salvation,” he said.
- “As I look at each of you, I contemplate the wonder of God, who never tires of whispering to the hearts of young people the beauty of giving one’s life for him and for the Church,” the pope said.
- The pope met with seminarians from two seminaries in southern Italy: the Pius XI Regional Seminary in Puglia and the Episcopal Seminary of Aversa in Campania.
- The pope underlined that the time spent in seminary is more necessary than ever today “in a world that is in a hurry.” “Precisely because our times are fast-paced and noisy, we need a place and a season in life where we can learn to be present, to discern, and to allow ourselves to be formed without taking shortcuts,” he said.
What's still developing
- “Jesus does not call just one man, but twelve, with personalities that are very different and by our standards, sometimes unexpected. The Lord gathers them and keeps them together so that they may learn that the Church is lived in communion: it belongs to none of us, and we are all called to love and serve it as one body,” he explained.
- Molfetta is commemorating the centenary of its new premises — commissioned by Pope Pius XI, after whom the seminary is named — while Aversa is celebrating the tercentenary of the opening of its current facility.
- (OSV News) — For seminarians navigating years of study and discipline in formation for the priesthood, Pope Leo XIV had a reminder Sept.
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