VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis said priest candidates must integrate spiritual, intellectual and community life to become pastors who are responsive to the needs of their communities.
“This path of forming (oneself) into Jesus, the Good Shepherd, must be carried out by attending to four aspects: spiritual life, learning, community life and apostolic activity,” he said. He spoke to a group of 36 seminarians from the Archdiocese of Seville, Spain.
The Pope, who met at the Vatican on April 20, said that integrating these four areas “makes you a priest who is able to respond to the vocation (you) have received by giving yourself completely to God and your brothers.” It can be said that it is necessary and urgent for this purpose.” and sisters, especially those who suffer the most. ”
COPE, a radio station owned by the Spanish Bishops’ Conference, reported that the pope spent time directly answering questions from seminarians in his audience.
After the meeting, Archbishop José Ángel Saiz Meneses of Seville told reporters that the pope encouraged seminarians to have “the joy that should reign in the priestly life” and “to embrace the spiritual worldliness that comes from being very right.” “We encouraged them to avoid danger.” There is a method, but its base is sterile. ”
In his short address, Pope Francis named Blessed Marcelo Spinola Maestre, who served as archbishop of Seville in the late 19th century.
“Virtue and knowledge are the two things that should be prioritized in teaching those who aspire to the priesthood,” he said, quoting the blessing. “For knowledge without virtue only enhances but does not enlighten; virtue without knowledge enlightens but does not guide.”
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