VATICAN CITY, 3 OCT 2010 (VIS) - At 5 p.m. today in the cathedral of Palermo, Italy, the Holy Father met with clergy, consecrated people and seminarians.
Following some minutes in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, the Pope addressed those present.
He began by speaking to priests, encouraging them "always to be men of prayer in order, also, to be teachers of prayer". In this context he noted how "it is not easy to remain faithful to these daily appointments with the Lord, especially today when the rhythm of life has become so frenetic and our occupations absorb ever more time. Yet we must convince ourselves that the moment of prayer is fundamental, because it is there that divine grace acts most effectively, making our ministry fruitful. There are many pressing matters, but if we are not in inner communion with God we can give nothing, not even to others".
After then highlighting how "the Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life", the Pope asked: "What care do we take in preparing ourselves for Mass? In celebrating it? In remaining in adoration? Are our churches truly 'houses of the Lord' where His presence attracts people who, unfortunately, today often feel the absence of God?
"A priest always and immutably finds the source of his identity in Christ the Priest", the Holy Father added. "It is not the world that defines his status, according to its requirements and its conception of social roles. ... A priest exists for the faithful; he encourages them and supports them in the exercise of their common priesthood as baptised individuals, in their journey of faith, in cultivating hope and living in charity, the love of Christ. Dear priests, always show particular concern for the world of youth. As the Venerable John Paul II said in this land, throw wide open the doors of your parishes to young people, that they may throw open their hearts to Christ. May they never find those doors closed".
The Pope went on: "Priests cannot distance themselves from the daily concerns of the People of God. Quite the contrary, they must remain very close to those concerns, but as priests". Recalling then the anniversary of the murder of Fr. Pino Puglisi, a Palermitan priest killed by the mafia, the Pope noted how "he had a heart aflame with true pastoral charity. He dedicated a large part of his zealous ministry to educating children and young people, at the same time struggling to ensure that all Christian families fulfilled their fundamental vocation as primary educators of their children's faith. The people entrusted to his pastoral care were able to draw nourishment from the spiritual wealth of this good pastor, the cause for whose beatification is currently underway. I encourage you to preserve a living memory of his fruitful priestly witness, and to imitate his heroic example".
Turning then to address members of institutes of consecrated life and cloistered monks and nuns, the Holy Father encouraged them "always to follow Christ without comprise, ... thus bearing witness to the beauty of being Christian in such a radical way. ... Your presence and your lifestyle infuse the ecclesial community with a vital impulse towards the 'high degree' of Christian life. Indeed, we could say that your existence is like a sermon, extremely eloquent though often silent", he said.
The Pope concluded his remarks by addressing the seminarians present. "Respond generously to the call of the Lord, ... becoming increasingly identified with Christ the High Priest, and preparing yourselves for the mission with a solid human, spiritual, theological and cultural formation. ... Commit yourselves to this time of grace and conserve in your hearts the joy and enthusiasm of the first moment of your call and your 'yes'" to Christ.
PV-PALERMO/ VIS 20101004 (640)
Following some minutes in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, the Pope addressed those present.
He began by speaking to priests, encouraging them "always to be men of prayer in order, also, to be teachers of prayer". In this context he noted how "it is not easy to remain faithful to these daily appointments with the Lord, especially today when the rhythm of life has become so frenetic and our occupations absorb ever more time. Yet we must convince ourselves that the moment of prayer is fundamental, because it is there that divine grace acts most effectively, making our ministry fruitful. There are many pressing matters, but if we are not in inner communion with God we can give nothing, not even to others".
After then highlighting how "the Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life", the Pope asked: "What care do we take in preparing ourselves for Mass? In celebrating it? In remaining in adoration? Are our churches truly 'houses of the Lord' where His presence attracts people who, unfortunately, today often feel the absence of God?
"A priest always and immutably finds the source of his identity in Christ the Priest", the Holy Father added. "It is not the world that defines his status, according to its requirements and its conception of social roles. ... A priest exists for the faithful; he encourages them and supports them in the exercise of their common priesthood as baptised individuals, in their journey of faith, in cultivating hope and living in charity, the love of Christ. Dear priests, always show particular concern for the world of youth. As the Venerable John Paul II said in this land, throw wide open the doors of your parishes to young people, that they may throw open their hearts to Christ. May they never find those doors closed".
The Pope went on: "Priests cannot distance themselves from the daily concerns of the People of God. Quite the contrary, they must remain very close to those concerns, but as priests". Recalling then the anniversary of the murder of Fr. Pino Puglisi, a Palermitan priest killed by the mafia, the Pope noted how "he had a heart aflame with true pastoral charity. He dedicated a large part of his zealous ministry to educating children and young people, at the same time struggling to ensure that all Christian families fulfilled their fundamental vocation as primary educators of their children's faith. The people entrusted to his pastoral care were able to draw nourishment from the spiritual wealth of this good pastor, the cause for whose beatification is currently underway. I encourage you to preserve a living memory of his fruitful priestly witness, and to imitate his heroic example".
Turning then to address members of institutes of consecrated life and cloistered monks and nuns, the Holy Father encouraged them "always to follow Christ without comprise, ... thus bearing witness to the beauty of being Christian in such a radical way. ... Your presence and your lifestyle infuse the ecclesial community with a vital impulse towards the 'high degree' of Christian life. Indeed, we could say that your existence is like a sermon, extremely eloquent though often silent", he said.
The Pope concluded his remarks by addressing the seminarians present. "Respond generously to the call of the Lord, ... becoming increasingly identified with Christ the High Priest, and preparing yourselves for the mission with a solid human, spiritual, theological and cultural formation. ... Commit yourselves to this time of grace and conserve in your hearts the joy and enthusiasm of the first moment of your call and your 'yes'" to Christ.
PV-PALERMO/ VIS 20101004 (640)
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