Priestly life requires ever-increasing thirst for sanctity

VATICAN CITY, (VIS) – On Jan. 20, the Holy Father received 70 professors and students of the diocesan seminary of Rome, the "Almo Collegio Capranica," which is celebrating the feast of its patroness St Agnes. It was on that third-century virgin and martyr that the Holy Father focused his remarks.

"For St. Agnes martyrdom meant agreeing to spend her young life, generously and freely, completely and without reserve, so that the Gospel could be announced as the truth and beauty which illuminates existence,” the pope said. “In martyrdom Agnes also confirmed the other decisive element of her life: her virginity for Christ and the Church. Her path to the compete gift of self in martyrdom was, in fact, prepared by her informed, free and mature choice of virginity, testimony of her desire to belong entirely to Christ.”

At a young age, Agnes learned that being a disciple of God meant loving Him, even at the cost of her life.

Pope Benedict said that, "Formation for the priesthood likewise requires integrity, maturity, asceticism, constancy and heroic fidelity in all aspects. All this must be founded upon a solid spiritual life animated by an intense relationship with God, as individuals and in the community, with a particular care for liturgical celebrations and frequent recourse to the Sacraments. Priestly life requires an ever-increasing thirst for sanctity, a clear 'sensus Ecclesiae' and an openness to fraternity without exclusion or bias."

"Part of a priest's journey of sanctity is his decision to develop, with God's help, his own intellect, his own commitment: an authentic and solid personal culture which is the fruit of constant and impassioned study. Faith has an indispensable rational and intellectual element,” the pope said. “Those who also achieve maturity in this global cultural formation will be more effective educators and animators of that worship 'in spirit and in truth' about which Jesus spoke to the woman of Samaria. Such worship ... must become...a process whereby man himself, as a being gifted with reason, becomes worship and glorification of the living God."

The Holy Father told his audience to always maintain “a profound sense of the history and traditions of the Church.” He said that at seminary they had the opportunity to “open yourselves to an international horizon.” They could learn to understand the situations of the countries and Churches of the world. He told them to prepare themselves “to approach all the men and women you will meet, ensuring that no culture is a barrier to the Word of life, which you must announce even with your lives."

“The Church expects a lot from young priests in the work of evangelization and new evangelization. I encourage you in your daily efforts that, rooted in the beauty of authentic tradition and profoundly united to Christ, you may bring Him into your communities with truth and joy," the Holy Father said.