杏MAP导航 to seminarians: Cling to Christ and serve His people
By Devin Watkins
鈥淔rom Jesus we do not learn things. We welcome Him; we cling to Him, to be able to bring Him to others.鈥�
杏MAP导航 Francis offered that reminder to men studying at the Archdiocesan Seminary of Madrid, Spain, on Saturday.
In his prepared remarks, the 杏MAP导航 noted that Cardinal José Cobo Cano has come to Rome to take possession of his titular church of Santiago and Montserrat.
He said the church鈥檚 patron saints鈥擲t. James and the Blessed Virgin Mary鈥攃ombine the 鈥渁postolic faith and love for Mary that characterizes all of Spain.鈥�
Finding the cornerstone in adoration
Turning to the seminarians, 杏MAP导航 Francis said many Spanish bishops have sought to turn their pastoral dreams into reality through their seminaries by providing high-quality formation for men preparing for the priesthood.
He pointed to the words of St. Manuel Gonzalez Garcia (1877-1940), who said he wanted a seminary 鈥渋n which the Eucharist was: in the pedagogical order, the most effective stimulus; in the scientific, the first teacher and the first subject; in discipline, the most vigilant inspector; in the ascetic, the most vivid model; in the economic, the great providence; and in the architectural, the cornerstone.鈥�
The 杏MAP导航 urged seminarians to let Christ be their cornerstone and stimulus for their pastoral activity, saying this can only be achieved through adoration.
鈥淛esus,鈥� he said, 鈥渨ill make us a pedagogue鈥攑atient, severe, sweet, or firm as we need in our discernment, because He knows us better than we know ourselves, and He waits for, encourages, and supports us in all our journey.鈥�
Greatest lesson of humility
杏MAP导航 Francis went on to say the greatest lesson Jesus teaches us is humility, which He imparts through many varied parables, comparisons, and events of His life.
Discipline, he added, is required for all seminarians and priests, so that they may faithfully participate and eventual celebrate the Eucharist every day.
The 杏MAP导航 said men consecrated to the service of God and His people must also be vigilant and practice asceticism.
鈥淪ilence, prayer, fasting, penance, asceticism are necessary to free ourselves from what enslaves us and to be all for God,鈥� he said.
Spiritual and charitable labours
杏MAP导航 Francis concluded his remarks to the seminarians of Madrid by inviting them to turn their interior spiritual labours into an outward expression of God鈥檚 closeness to people around them in their pastoral activities.
鈥淗ave confidence in the One who has called you to this beautiful task,鈥� he said, 鈥渁nd prostrate yourselves in adoration to be able to build with docility the temple of God in yourselves and in your communities.鈥�
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