Pope Leo XIV inspires Triveneto seminarians to trust God, embrace community, and foster friendship with Jesus during their jubilee pilgrimage in Vatican City.
Newsroom, June 25, 2024, Gaudium Press – In a deeply personal and inspiring address at Largo Giovanni Paolo II, Pope Leo XIV met with bishops, formators, and seminarians from the dioceses of Triveneto during their jubilee pilgrimage, delivering a powerful message of trust in God, perseverance, and communal support as they prepare for the priesthood. The gathering, marked by a warm and paternal tone, underscored the region’s rich Christian heritage and the seminarians’ role in carrying it forward.
Opening with a joyful “Good morning!” and a blessing in the name of the Trinity, the Pope expressed delight at the encounter, noting it was the second opportunity for many present after events the previous day. He rooted his remarks in the spiritual legacy of Triveneto, invoking the ancient Church of Aquileia, a historic center of Christianity. He paid tribute to its luminaries—Bishop Chromatius, scholars Jerome and Rufinus, known for their asceticism and study, and modern missionaries Blessed Tullio Maruzzo and Giovanni Schiavo, who spread the Gospel across diverse cultures. “Your land boasts deep Christian roots,” he said, urging seminarians to weave themselves into this “rich history of grace” to preserve and renew it through their commitment to Christ.
Drawing on the wisdom of Blessed John Paul I, a native of the Triveneto region and a revered figure, the Pope recalled his 1978 words to Roman clergy: “Even the angels in Jacob’s dream did not fly but climbed one step at a time; how much more we, poor men without wings, must train ourselves in sustained, challenging effort.” This image of steady ascent, the Pope emphasized, reflects the discipline required in priestly life. He held up John Paul I as a shining example of the region’s virtues—humility, dedication, and pastoral zeal—offering seminarians a tangible model for their vocation.
The Holy Father then turned to St. Augustine’s Confessions, recounting a pivotal moment in the saint’s conversion. Struggling with doubts and temptations, Augustine, in a moment of turmoil, retreated to a garden where the personified virtue of Continence urged him: “Why do you rely on yourself, yet falter? Cast yourself into God without fear. He will not draw back and let you fall.” The Pope applied these words to the seminarians’ journey, not only in embracing celibacy—a charism to be recognized and nurtured—but in their broader discernment and formation. “Let go of the need to rely solely on yourselves,” he advised, encouraging them to trust in God’s unwavering fidelity, as expressed in Psalm 51:10: “I abandon myself to the faithfulness of God, now and always.” This trust, he added, is a lifelong anchor, sustaining them through moments of desolation or even sin, with Scripture and the Sacraments as perennial sources of spiritual renewal.
Pope Leo XIV stressed the importance of community, cautioning against isolation. Quoting the Ratio Fundamentalis of the Congregation for the Clergy, he reminded seminarians that each is “the protagonist of their own formation, called to constant growth in human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral dimensions.” Yet, he clarified, “protagonists does not mean soloists.” He urged them to cultivate communion with their peers and place full trust in their formators, encouraging open and honest relationships. To the formators, he offered a charge: be “good companions” by providing humble witness through their lives and faith, accompanying seminarians with genuine affection. The broader Church, particularly through its bishops, stands as a pillar of support, he assured.
At the heart of his address, the Pope called for a deep, personal friendship with Jesus, drawing on the words of English priest Robert Hugh Benson, who wrote after his conversion to Catholicism: “The Gospel leaves no doubt: Jesus Christ desires to be our friend. The secret of the saints is their awareness of this friendship.” Echoing Pope Francis’ 2024 encyclical Dilexit Nos, he encouraged seminarians to boldly proclaim this bond, as “encountering Jesus saves our lives and gives us the strength and joy to share the Gospel.”
In closing, Pope Leo XIV expressed gratitude for the visit, wishing the seminarians a “good journey” in their vocational path. He entrusted them to the Virgin Mary and imparted his apostolic blessing, concluding with a communal recitation of the Our Father and a final benediction. “Good day, and thank you!” he said warmly, sending them forth with encouragement for their faith-filled journey.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from vatican.va
Related Images:
