Pope Leo XIV urges seminarians at Jubilee to love with Christ’s heart, embrace discernment, and serve humbly in a challenging world.
Newsroom, June 24, 2024, Gaudium Press – In a heartfelt address at the Altar of the Confession in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV spoke to seminarians gathered for their Jubilee, urging them to cultivate a heart like Christ’s and to embrace their vocational journey with courage and authenticity.
The Pope began by expressing gratitude for the seminarians’ enthusiasm, noting, “Your energy fuels the flame of hope in the life of the Church.” He described them as “witnesses of hope” who have embraced the challenging yet captivating call to the priesthood in a complex era. Highlighting their role as future proclaimers of the Gospel, he encouraged them to serve a Church that is open and missionary in spirit.
In a multilingual gesture, Pope Leo XIV also spoke in Spanish, saying, “Thank you for accepting the Lord’s invitation to follow Him with courage, to be disciples, and to enter the seminary. Be brave and do not be afraid!”
Reflecting on the centrality of Christ’s call, the Pope emphasized the importance of fostering a deep friendship with Jesus and fellow seminarians, an experience that should grow throughout their lives. He stressed that every aspect of their humanity must be transformed, like a grain of wheat, to become “bridges” to Christ for others. Quoting St. John the Baptist, he reminded them, “He must increase, and we must decrease,” to become pastors after Christ’s own heart.
Drawing inspiration from Pope Francis’ encyclical Dilexit Nos, Pope Leo XIV urged the seminarians to focus on the heart as the “engine” of their formation. He described the seminary as a “school of the affections,” essential in a world marked by conflict and narcissism. “You are called to love with the heart of Christ,” he said, emphasizing the need to nurture their interior life where God speaks and where profound decisions are made. He cautioned that this inner work involves confronting wounds and struggles, but assured them that such vulnerabilities, when embraced, enable them to minister to those who suffer.
The Pope highlighted the role of prayer in fostering authenticity and self-knowledge, warning against the distractions of a hyper-connected age. “Without encountering Him, we cannot truly know ourselves,” he said, encouraging frequent invocation of the Holy Spirit to shape a heart attuned to God’s presence in nature, art, literature, and human sciences. He also called for openness to contemporary challenges, such as artificial intelligence and social media, and attentiveness to the silent cries of the poor, oppressed, and those seeking meaning.
Discernment, the Pope noted, is a critical skill for seminarians. He advised them to emulate the Virgin Mary, who pondered and treasured experiences in her heart, and to avoid superficiality by reflecting deeply on life’s lessons. “What is the Lord teaching me through what I am living?” he prompted them to ask.
Pope Leo XIV encouraged the seminarians to adopt a humble and meek heart like Jesus’, rejecting hypocrisy and embracing human maturity. He urged them to bring their fears, sorrows, and crises into their relationship with God, viewing them as opportunities for grace. In a world often marked by ingratitude and power struggles, he called them to embody Christ’s gratitude, joy, tenderness, and mercy through selfless service.
Reflecting on Christ’s compassion as the Good Samaritan, the Pope reminded the seminarians of Jesus’ command to “go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37). He encouraged them to make their lives a gift of love, mirroring Christ’s self-giving on the Cross.
Addressing their formation, Pope Leo XIV challenged the seminarians to aim high and engage passionately in their priestly preparation, living with a prophetic heart. He expressed hope that the encounter would deepen their dialogue with Christ, aligning their hearts with His.
Concluding the celebration, the Pope joined the seminarians in renewing their baptismal faith at the tomb of St. Peter, praying that their “fiat” would blossom into the joyful “here I am” of their ordination day. After reciting the Creed in Latin and offering a blessing, he wished them a fruitful pilgrimage of hope.
The event, attended by seminarians from diverse global Churches, underscored the unity of their shared vocation. Pope Leo XIV’s message resonated as a call to authentic, compassionate, and courageous priesthood in service to a world in need.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican.va
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