Pope advises future priests: Become shepherds with Christ's loving heart

Image: Vatican News

Source: Vatican News

"With your hearts in God, with open hands, and a big smile, share the joy of the Gospel with all those you encounter" - this was the advice Pope Francis gave seminarians of the Metropolitan and 'Redemptoris Mater' Seminaries of Seville, Spain, yesterday when he received them in the Vatican yesterday.

The Pope began by pointing out that their meeting fell on the eve of "a very significant day," Good Shepherd Sunday, which is celebrated today.

"You, seminarians, have received a call from the Lord," Pope Francis said, as he encouraged them, with their formator's help, to be pastors following the Lord's heartfelt example.

The Holy Father described four areas, in which future priests, must concentrate their energies: the spiritual life, study, community life, and apostolic activity.

To truly become a priest, who understands the need to "totally surrender to God and to our brothers," especially to those suffering most, the Pope said, this integration is "necessary" and "urgent."

Pope Francis recalled in a special way a 'holy pastor' of Andalusia, Blessed Cardinal Marcelo Spínola y Maestre, a teacher of priests, who used to say that virtue and knowledge are two things that should be taught preferably to those aspiring to the priesthood, adding that, 'knowledge without virtue, puffs up and does not build, and virtue without knowledge, builds, but does not instruct."

The Pope used this observation to illustrate the need for future priests to maintain a certain holy balance, as he called for prayer, study, fraternity, and mission, within the priest, to be united.

Pope Francis concluded by encouraging the seminarians to make the most of their time in seminary to joyfully cultivate and share their faith.