SEMINARIANS: FUTURE AND HOPE OF THE CHURCH

VATICAN CITY, FEB 21, 2004 (VIS) - Today at 6 p.m. in the Paul VI Hall, the Pope met with members of the community of the Pontifical Major Seminary of Rome on the occasion of the feast of their patroness, Our Lady of Trust. Also present were students from the Capranica, Redemptoris Mater and Divine Love Seminaries. The choir and orchestra of the diocese of Rome played an oratorio inspired by "Roman Triptych," John Paul II's book of poetry which was published last year.

Following the musical presentation, the Holy Father, in off-the-cuff remarks, thanked the young seminarians for the music: "Debitor factus sum," he said. "I am indebted to the Seminary of Rome for the beautiful interpretation that you have offered us of the oratorio inspired by "Roman Triptych," a work of poetry which many have written about. But this is perhaps the first time that I have heard this musical interpretation."

"I would like to tell you," he continued, "that this morning I celebrated Mass for the intentions of the Pontifical Major Seminary of Rome." In conclusion, he repeated: "'Debitor factus sum'. I am indebted and I must pay . perhaps a just, rather, that is, a fitting price. I will try to do so."

In his prepared speech, John Paul II affirmed that seminarians "are in a special way the future and hope of the Church; their presence in the seminary attests to the strength of attraction that Christ exercises on the heart of young people. A strength that does not take away from liberty, on the contrary, it allows it to fully flourish by choosing the greatest good: God to whose service we dedicate ourselves forever."

"Forever!" he exclaimed. "In this age, there is the impression of a certain reluctance on the part of young people in the face of definitive and total commitments. It is as if they were afraid of making decisions that last an entire life. Thank God, in the diocese of Rome that there are many young people who are willing to consecrate their lives to God and to their brothers in the priestly ministry. Nevertheless, we must pray incessantly to the Master of the harvest so that He may send new workers for His harvest, and so that He may sustain them in their commitment to a coherent adhesion to the demands of the Gospel."

The Pope ended by citing the example of Our Lady: "Without humble abandonment to God's will, which made the most beautiful 'yes' flourish in the heart of Mary, who could assume the responsibility of the priesthood? This is also important for young people who are preparing for Christian marriage."
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TELEGRAM FOR VICTIMS OF ATTACK IN JERUSALEM

VATICAN CITY, FEB 22, 2004 (VIS) - The following telegram of condolences was sent in Pope John Paul's name by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of State, to Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic delegate in Jerusalem and Palestine, for the victims of this morning's suicide bomber in Jerusalem:

"The Supreme Pontiff expresses his firm condemnation of the latest brutal attack carried out in Jerusalem and, while assuring the family members of the victims of his spiritual closeness, he urges the authorities and citizens not to allow themselves to be carried away by the absurd dynamics of violence but to intensify their commitment to hasten the much desired hour of peace."
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ANGELUS REFLECTIONS ON THE CHAIR OF PETER, LENT AND LATIN

VATICAN CITY, FEB 22, 2004 (VIS) - In his traditional Sunday address to the faithful who came to St. Peter's Square to pray the Angelus with him, Pope John Paul spoke of today's feast of the Chair of Peter, the start of Lent this coming Ash Wednesday and the study of Latin.

He remarked that "the liturgical feast of the Chair of Peter underscores the singular mystery, entrusted by the Lord to the leader of the Apostles, of confirming and guiding the Church in the unity of faith. This is what the 'ministerium petrinum' is, that particular service that the Bishop of Rome is called to render to all Christians. An indispensable mission that is not based on human prerogatives but on Christ Himself as the cornerstone of the ecclesial community. Let us pray that the Church, in the variety of cultures, languages and traditions, will be unanimous in believing and professing the truth of faith and morals transmitted by the Apostles."

The Holy Father then noted that "Lent, which will start next Wednesday with the austere and significant rite of the imposition of ashes, is a privileged time to intensify this commitment of conversion to Christ. The Lenten itinerary will thus become a propitious time to examine ourselves with sincerity and truth and to return order to our own lives and to our relations with others and with God."

In greetings following the Angelus, the Pope, speaking Latin, addressed a group of professors and students from the Pontifical Superior Institute of Latin, created forty years ago today by Pope Paul VI with his Motu Proprio "Studia Latinitatis," as part of the Pontifical Salesian Athenaeum.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 23, 2004 (VIS) - Today the Holy Father received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, apostolic nuncio in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

- Three prelates from the French Episcopal Conference on their "ad limina" visit.

- Archbishop Andre Lacrampe of Besancon.

- Bishop Claude Schockert of Belfort-Montbeliard.

- Bishop Jean-Louis Papin of Nancy.


- Bishop Yves Patenotre of Saint-Claude.

- Cardinal Camillo Ruini, vicar general for the diocese of Rome and president of the Italian Episcopal Conference with Bishop Paolo Schiavon, auxiliary of the diocese of Rome for the Southern Pastoral Sector; Fr. Mario Sanfilippo, pastor of St. Anselmo alla Cecchignola Parish, with the parochial vicar; Fr. Fernando Altieri, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, with the parochial vicar; Fr. Ilija Perleta, pastor of St. John the Baptist de la Salle Parish and Fr. Francesco De Franco, pastor of St. Mary, Star of Evangelization Parish, with the parochial vicar.

On Saturday February 21, the Holy Father received in audience Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
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HOLY FATHER'S MESSAGE FOR LENT

VATICAN CITY, FEB 23, 2004 (VIS) - As Wednesday, February 25 marks the beginning of Lent, we would like to advise our readers that the Pope's Message for Lent is available in its entirety as of today on the Vatican web site. Click here to retrieve the complete text.
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