LONGING FOR SANCTITY: BLESSED JOHN XXIII'S DAILY CONCERN

VATICAN CITY, FEB 9, 2002 (VIS) - This evening, in accordance with annual custom, the Holy Father visited Rome's major seminary - which presently has 165 students - for the occasion of the feast of the patroness, Our Lady of Trust.

After listening to a piece of music inspired by the figure of Blessed John XXIII, who was also a student at the seminary, the Pope sought to underline "the yearning after sanctity which became a daily concern in (Blessed John XXIII's) life. His optimism remained firm even in the face of real problems and difficulties. Strong in his faith, he invited others to realize that what unites the Lord's disciples - and, in general, all men and women - is far greater than that which actually divides them. With this spirit he favored the ecumenical journey, which has attained no small results although much remains to be done."

John Paul II told the seminarians that the publication, on December 20, 2001, of the decree of the heroic virtues of the former student of the seminary, Bruno Marchesini, was a reason for them to be joyful. "May the Spirit that inspired the young Marchesini," he said, "also lead you along the path of the heroism of faith, that you may ready yourselves to carry the Gospel wherever Providence may guide you, if necessary to the very ends of the earth."

After highlighting that sanctity is "the first part of any missionary endeavor," he concluded: "Advance without pause towards this arduous and majestic peak, treasuring the grace that is dispensed to you every day and attempting to translate it into a fervor of good intentions and courageous actions. This is the duty of all ecclesial communities and must be the principal occupation of all believers."

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