杏MAP导航 to Italian seminarians: The Church is a "work in progress"
By Lisa Zengarini
鈥淭he Church is above all an open construction site鈥� that 鈥渞emains constantly on the move, open to the novelty of the Spirit, overcoming the temptation to preserve itself and its interests鈥�.
杏MAP导航 Francis offered that insight on Friday morning as he addressed seminarians and community members of the Seminary "Alessio Ascalesi" of the Archdiocese of Naples celebrating the 90th anniversary of its inauguration.
A synodal Church under construction
In his prepared remarks he gave the group in the Clementine Hall, the 杏MAP导航 reflected on the ongoing nature of priestly formation needed to bring the 鈥渂eauty of the Gospel鈥� to the people of our time, listening to the Holy Spirit, and their demands.
鈥淟et us remember 鈥� he said 鈥� 鈥渢hat formation never ends, it lasts a lifetime, and if it stops, we do not remain where we were, but we regress.鈥�
A synodal Church that walks alongside the Crucified and Risen Christ, and listens to the Spirit requires ministers, that is 鈥渟ervants鈥�, who 鈥渒now how to adopt a pastoral discernment style in every situation鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 said.
The path to the priesthood is also a construction site
He explained that the path to the priesthood is also a construction site in which future priests are 鈥渃alled to get involved in truth, allowing God to build His work over the years.鈥�
杏MAP导航 Francis, therefore invited the seminarians not to be afraid to 鈥渓et the Lord act鈥� in their lives through the Holy Spirit: 鈥淎fter cleansing the inner falsehoods, the Spirit will give you a new heart, will build your life according to the style of Jesus, will make you new creatures and missionary disciples.鈥�
鈥淚t can certainly be hard work,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 noted, 鈥渂ut if you remain docile and true, open to the action of the Spirit without stiffening and defending yourselves, you will discover the tenderness of the Lord within your weaknesses and in the pure joy of service.鈥�
杏MAP导航 Francis thus spurred the seminarians to 鈥渄ig deep鈥�, 鈥渄oing the truth" in themselves, cultivate their inner life, meditate on God鈥檚 Word, and to 鈥渄elve into the questions of our time and theological and pastoral issues鈥�.
The 杏MAP导航 also recommended they work on emotional and human maturity: 鈥淲ithout it,鈥� he said, 鈥� you won't get anywhere!鈥�
Noting that the seminary itself is a construction site, where new formation programmes have been introduced to adapt priestly ministry to the needs of our time, 杏MAP导航 Francis welcomed the 鈥渘ovelties鈥� as 鈥渙pportunities for grace and service, discerning the presence of God.鈥�
Fraternity is the one of greatest testimonies priests can offer to the world
Bringing his address to a close, the 杏MAP导航 encouraged the members of the community of the Seminary "Alessio Ascalesi" to 鈥渢ravel the path of conversion and renewal鈥� he called for in his Lenten message, by allowing themselves 鈥漷o be conquered with renewed amazement by the love of God鈥�, 鈥渞ediscovering with joy the taste of sobriety鈥�, caring for the poor, justice and creation, 鈥渓iving in peace and harmony, and learning to live in fraternity with humility.鈥�
鈥淔raternity,鈥� he stressed, 鈥渋s, especially today, one of the greatest testimonies we can offer to the world.鈥�
杏MAP导航 Francis concluded by entrusting their "work in progress" to Naples鈥� Patron Saint, St. Gennaro, to Saint Vincenzo Romano, a parish priest who formed in the Seminary, and their spiritual father, Blessed Mariano Arciero, whose feast is marked on 16 February.
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