杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

杏MAP导航 Francis reflected on the mission of schools of theology and the role of theological journals on Friday, in a printed address handed out to members of the editorial board of La Scuola Cattolica during an audience on the occasion of the theological journal's 150th anniversary. 

In his written remarks, Holy Father described the publication, which is associated with the Archdiocesan Seminary of Milan, as 鈥渁 bit like a shop window, where an artisan displays his work and one can admire his creativity.鈥�

Seen in this light, 杏MAP导航 Francis highlighted three aspects of theology that are especially important in today鈥檚 world.

Theology at the service of Church's living faith

The 杏MAP导航 emphasized the importance of interpreting the faith for the modern world, making it accessible to people in every age 鈥渋n the dynamism of tradition.鈥�

Theology, he said, 鈥渉as a great responsibility to stimulate and guide the search for meaning,鈥� especially today, and invited formators to ask themselves how to communicate the truths of the faith to the modern world.

Forming experts in humanity and closeness

杏MAP导航 Francis stressed, secondly, the necessity of good formation for the renewal and future of vocations.

He noted that those who are called to the priesthood or religious life all have their own life experiences, and that formators must be able 鈥渢o 鈥榚ncounter鈥� the whole personality of the 鈥榗alled,鈥欌�� which includes their 鈥渋ntelligence, feelings, heart, dreams, and aspirations.鈥�

A good formator, he insisted, 鈥渆xpresses his service in an attitude that we can call the 鈥榙iakonia鈥� of truth,鈥� precisely because it involves 鈥渢he concrete existence of people.鈥� Seminarians, the 杏MAP导航 said, must be able to learn more by the example of their formators than by their words, learning how to be open and available to others, especially the most needy.

Evangelization at the heart of service

Finally, the 杏MAP导航 said that evangelization 鈥� which is never proselytism 鈥� is at the heart of the ecclesial service of formators.

He described evangelization as 鈥渁n attraction to Christ, fostering an encounter with Him who changes your life, who makes you happy, and makes you, each day, a new creature and a visible sign of His love.鈥�

Every person, he said, has a right to receive the Gospel; which necessarily implies, for Christians, a dialogue with the world and its various cultures and religions.

杏MAP导航 Francis reminded those present that it is the Holy Spirit 鈥渨ho introduces us into the Mystery and gives emphasis to the Church鈥檚 mission.鈥� For this reason, theologians must be open to the world, 鈥渋ncarnating鈥� the fullness of truth to which the Spirit leads.

This, the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渋s why we need a theology that is alive, that gives 鈥榝lavour鈥� as well as knowledge, that is the basis of serious ecclesial dialogue, of a synodal dialogue, to be organized and practiced in local communities, for a re-launch of the faith in today鈥檚 cultural transformations.鈥�

A service to the faith, the Church, and the world

杏MAP导航 Francis concluded his address with the hope that his reflections would help the formators in Milan 鈥渢o cultivate your vocation of service to the faith, to the Church, and to the world.鈥�