杏MAP导航 to priests: 'No one here is alone'
By Kielce Gussie
As part of the Jubilee of Priests taking place from June 25-27, 杏MAP导航 Leo XIV held an audience with priests, seminarians, and formators at the Auditorium Conciliazione in Rome for an international meeting titled, 鈥淛oyful Priests鈥擨 have called you friends.鈥�
A fraternal experience
About 1,700 people gathered in the Auditorium to listen to opening words from Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy.
The Prefect pointed out that this meeting is more than 鈥渟imply a conference or a formation session鈥�. Rather, he insisted, it was 鈥渁bove all a true ecclesial, synodal, and fraternal experience.鈥�
Cardinal Lazzaro stressed the goal is to return to the heart of the priestly life. That is, being friends with Jesus. He argued being happy priests is not a slogan but a 鈥渞eal, concrete possibility, something to be lived out day by day.鈥�
Three insights in the priesthood
In his message to those present, 杏MAP导航 Leo echoed the Prefect鈥檚 words. He highlighted that Jesus鈥� words, 鈥淚 have called you friends,鈥� are not just a nice statement. Instead, the 杏MAP导航 shared, they are 鈥渁 true key to understanding the priestly ministry.鈥�
Reflecting on this, 杏MAP导航 Leo offered three insights into priestly formation. The first is that formation is a path of relationship, and this means 鈥渂eing formed in relationship, not just in skills.鈥�
Therefore, the 杏MAP导航 warned against letting formation simply be focused on acquiring knowledge but be centered on growing in familiarity with God.
The second insight 杏MAP导航 Leo shared was that fraternity is a crucial part of priestly life. He encouraged the priests and seminarians to live as brothers and not rivals or isolated individuals.
He stressed how important this insight is with a question: 鈥淗ow could we, as ministers, build vibrant communities if there is no real and sincere brotherhood among us?鈥�
Thirdly, 杏MAP导航 Leo argued that the formation of priests means forming men capable of loving, listening, praying, and serving together. It is for this reason 鈥渨e must take great care in preparing formators.鈥�
The seminary itself is a great reminder that priestly formation cannot take place in isolation but in community.
Do not be afraid
Speaking about vocations and the 鈥渟igns of crisis affecting the life and mission of priests,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Leo highlighted that men continue to be called to the priesthood and strive to live out their mission faithfully.
He encouraged all priests 鈥渘ot to be afraid to make bold and liberating proposals鈥� that can inspire young people to hear the call to their vocation.
This international meeting took place on the eve of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Pontiff took the opportunity to recall 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� encyclical, Dilexit nos, which is a reminder that every person is made for God.
He urged priests to rediscover the enthusiasm of mission because 鈥渨hen someone truly believes, you can tell鈥攖he joy of the minister reflects his encounter with Christ.鈥�
鈥淥ne for all鈥�
Before closing the meeting, one priest asked the 杏MAP导航 for a hug before giving him a zucchetto. 杏MAP导航 Leo told the crowds that this one hug would be for them all. He then reiterated a message from his speech on the importance of the spiritual life of the priest.
鈥淣o one here is alone,鈥� he said, because there will be many times when a priest will seek 鈥渁 good accompanier, a spiritual director, a good confessor.鈥� This once again stressed the importance of fraternity in formation and priestly life.
Even in the most remote and distant mission fields, the 杏MAP导航 said, no one is ever alone. He encouraged the formators, priests, and seminarians to live the 鈥渃loseness鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis often called for.
鈥淎lways count on God鈥檚 grace and my closeness too,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Leo explained, 鈥渁nd together we can truly be this voice in the world.鈥�
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