POPE FRANCIS TO SEMINARIANS: “IF YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO ACT LIKE SHEPHERDS, CHANGE PATH”

Vatican City, 14 April 2014 (VIS) – This morning the Holy Father met with the seminarians of the community of the Pontifical College “Leoniano de Anagni”, and warned them not to fall into the trap of thinking that they are preparing to exercise a profession, to become the employees of a business enterprise or a bureaucratic entity. “You are becoming 'good shepherds', in the image of Jesus, to be like Him, in the midst of His flock, to graze His sheep. Before this vocation, we can answer like the Virgin Mary to the Angel: 'How is this possible?'”

“Becoming good shepherds in the image of Jesus is something very great, and we are so small”, he continued. “Yes, it is true, it is too great; but it is not our work! It is the work of the Holy Spirit, with our collaboration. … I no longer live, but Christ lives in me”, said Francis, emphasising that only in this way is it possible to be deacons and priests of the Church. … If you are not willing to follow this path, with these attitudes and these experiences, it is better to have the courage to seek another. There are many ways, in the Church, to bear Christian witness”. Before concluding, the Pope encouraged the seminarians to reflect on this theme and emphasised that following in Christ's ministry allows no place for mediocrity, who always leads to using the holy people of God to one's own advantage.