TO BE A SAINT: THE BLUEPRINT FOR EVERY CHRISTIAN

VATICAN CITY, FEB 24, 2001 (VIS) - As is his yearly custom, the Holy Father visited the Major Roman Seminary this afternoon for the feast of Our Lady of Trust, the seminary's patroness.

After listening to a piece of music inspired by the life of former seminary student Servant of God Bruno Marchesini, who died at age 23, "longing for the priesthood," the Holy Father said: "His life was a constant and courageous journey towards sanctity."

John Paul II affirmed that "to be a saint, this is the blueprint for every Christian." He added: "I hope that this plan also directs your life, dear young friends. ... Rome needs saints! A fruitful season of new evangelization is opening before us, which, to bear good results, needs the courage of sanctity. Dear seminarians, bring this yearning into daily prayer."

After recalling "the sincere devotion to the Most Holy Virgin" of Servant of God Bruno Marchesini, the Holy Father said: "Let us look again to Her, the Mother of Christ, and ask Her to teach us as well to 'remain' with the Lord," as did the Apostles, in response to Jesus' invitation.

"Let us ask Her," the Pope concluded, "for the community of the Roman Seminary to be ever more consciously a 'genuine 'school' of prayer, where the meeting with Christ is expressed not just in imploring help but also in thanksgiving, praise, adoration, contemplation, listening, and ardent devotion, until the heart truly 'falls in love'.' May all of this become your daily experience!"

After this interlude, the Holy Father dined with the rector, teachers and seminarians.

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