Pope Francis Tells Seminarians "the goal is to become pastors of the People of God, pastors forged according to the measure of the Heart of Christ"
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ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
TO THE COMMUNITY OF THE INTERDIOCESAN MAJOR SEMINARY,
OF SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, TUI-VIGO AND MONDOÑEDO-FERROL
Consistory Hall
Thursday, 12 December 2024
_____________________________
Dear brother bishops,
dear formators and seminarians of the Interdiocesan Major Seminary “Apóstol Santiago”:
Good morning. I welcome all of you, who are well acquainted with the footsteps of the apostle James in Spain, and who now come as pilgrims to Rome, following in the footsteps of the apostle Peter and other faithful followers of Jesus. As they say in your land, ¡buen camino!
I know that since September you have been living a new modality as an “Interdiocesan” Seminary, uniting the dioceses of Santiago de Compostela, Tui-Vigo and Mondoñedo-Ferrol.
I thank you for your availability. I encourage you to continue forward with renewed strength and hope.
I believe that the image of the “pilgrimage” is appropriate to indicate the formative journey that you are undertaking. As pilgrims, first, we feel a call that impels us to go out of ourselves; then, we launch ourselves into the adventure and begin to walk, through different moments and stages. Finally, we reach the goal. This also happens in formation for the priesthood, where the goal is to become pastors of the People of God, pastors forged according to the measure of the Heart of Christ, humble and merciful. Remember that you are not alone on the journey, this is fundamental: do not be afraid to open your heart to the Lord and let yourself be accompanied by Him, so that He may shape your lives.
Do not forget, moreover, that on the journey you will meet many different people, some of whom may be going through difficult times, are wounded or do not know God. Be witnesses to the joy of the Gospel for all of them, offer them the tenderness and comfort of the Lord to heal the blisters on the journey. Do not cease to be those “yellow arrows” who, like Saint John the Baptist, point to Jesus and tell everyone, with your words, but also and above all with your way of life: “This is the Lamb of God” (Jn 1:29).
Dear brothers, the Holy Year 2025 is approaching, with this jubilee grace that has been given to us, let us continue walking together as pilgrims of hope, towards the heavenly homeland.
May Jesus bless you and the Holy Virgin take care of you. And, please, when you return, ask Saint James the Apostle to intercede for me. Thank you very much.
TO THE COMMUNITY OF THE INTERDIOCESAN MAJOR SEMINARY,
OF SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, TUI-VIGO AND MONDOÑEDO-FERROL
Consistory Hall
Thursday, 12 December 2024
_____________________________
Dear brother bishops,
dear formators and seminarians of the Interdiocesan Major Seminary “Apóstol Santiago”:
Good morning. I welcome all of you, who are well acquainted with the footsteps of the apostle James in Spain, and who now come as pilgrims to Rome, following in the footsteps of the apostle Peter and other faithful followers of Jesus. As they say in your land, ¡buen camino!
I know that since September you have been living a new modality as an “Interdiocesan” Seminary, uniting the dioceses of Santiago de Compostela, Tui-Vigo and Mondoñedo-Ferrol.
I thank you for your availability. I encourage you to continue forward with renewed strength and hope.
I believe that the image of the “pilgrimage” is appropriate to indicate the formative journey that you are undertaking. As pilgrims, first, we feel a call that impels us to go out of ourselves; then, we launch ourselves into the adventure and begin to walk, through different moments and stages. Finally, we reach the goal. This also happens in formation for the priesthood, where the goal is to become pastors of the People of God, pastors forged according to the measure of the Heart of Christ, humble and merciful. Remember that you are not alone on the journey, this is fundamental: do not be afraid to open your heart to the Lord and let yourself be accompanied by Him, so that He may shape your lives.
Do not forget, moreover, that on the journey you will meet many different people, some of whom may be going through difficult times, are wounded or do not know God. Be witnesses to the joy of the Gospel for all of them, offer them the tenderness and comfort of the Lord to heal the blisters on the journey. Do not cease to be those “yellow arrows” who, like Saint John the Baptist, point to Jesus and tell everyone, with your words, but also and above all with your way of life: “This is the Lamb of God” (Jn 1:29).
Dear brothers, the Holy Year 2025 is approaching, with this jubilee grace that has been given to us, let us continue walking together as pilgrims of hope, towards the heavenly homeland.
May Jesus bless you and the Holy Virgin take care of you. And, please, when you return, ask Saint James the Apostle to intercede for me. Thank you very much.
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