杏MAP导航

By Lisa Zengarini

杏MAP导航 Francis has encouraged future North American priests studying in Rome to cultivate 鈥渃onstant dialogue鈥� with the Lord, to foster communion in the Church, and to become prophetic witnesses bringing the Gospel of God鈥檚 love especially to those who are in need.

The encouragement came as he met priests, deacons, seminarians and staff of the Pontifical North American College on Saturday.

A 鈥渟ynodal journey鈥� 

Introducing his address in the Clementine Hall, the 杏MAP导航 highlighted their formation and preparation to priesthood as a 鈥渟ynodal journey鈥�, in which they are called to listen to the Holy Spirit and to one another, 鈥漣n order to discern how to help God鈥檚 holy people live His gift of communion and become missionary disciples.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis then shared some reflections on three elements which, he said, are essential to priestly formation, recalling the Gospel of St. John on the first encounter between Jesus and two of his future disciples in the presence of John the Baptist (Jn 1:35-42).

Dialogue

The first element is dialogue. Like with St. Andrew and St. Simon Peter, the 杏MAP导航 noted, throughout their seminary formation the Lord enters into a 鈥減ersonal dialogue鈥� with them, asking what they are looking for and inviting them to 鈥渃ome and see鈥�, to speak with Him from their hearts and 鈥済ive themselves to Him confidently in faith and love.鈥�

This, he pointed out, involves fostering 鈥渁 daily relationship with Jesus鈥�, nourished 鈥渆specially by prayer, meditation on the word of God, the help of spiritual accompaniment and listening to Him in silence before the Tabernacle.鈥�

Communion

The second fundamental element of priestly formation is communion, 鈥渇irst with God, but also with those joined together in Christ鈥檚 body, the Church."

During their formation in Rome,  杏MAP导航 Francis invited the seminarians to keep their eyes open both to the 鈥渕ystery of the Church鈥檚 unity manifested in legitimate diversity yet lived in the oneness of faith.鈥�

He also urged them to 鈥減rophetic witness of charity that the Church expresses through her concrete acts of care for those in need鈥�, so as to develop that 鈥渇raternal love capable of seeing the grandeur of our neighbour, of finding God in every human being, of tolerating the nuisances of life in common.鈥�

Mission of serving the poor

Finally, mission was the third element highlighted by 杏MAP导航 Francis, that is, witnessing Jesus鈥� Gospel to others, particularly the vulnerable and those on the margins of society. 鈥淧eople nowadays," he noted, "need us to listen to their questions, anxieties and dreams so that we can better lead them to the Lord, who rekindles hope and renews the life of all.鈥�

Wrapping up his address, 杏MAP导航 Francis prayed that their experience of studying in Rome and their formation at the Pontifical North American College will enable them 鈥渢o grow in faithful love of God and humble service to our brothers and sisters鈥�, and entrusted them to the maternal intercession of Mary Immaculate, Patroness of the College and of the United States.