VATICAN - Benedict XVI in Santa Maria di Leuca and Brindisi - “Dear brother priests, in order to ensure your faith is always strong and vigorous, it is important, as you well know, to nourish it with assiduous prayer.”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – In the afternoon, on June 15, at the Cathedral of St. Lawrence, the Holy Father Benedict XVI met with the priests of the area, before returning to the Vatican. “Here, in the Cathedral – the heart of the Diocese – we all feel at home, united by the bond of Christ’s love. Here, we wish to remember all those that have spread Christianity on this earth. Brindisi was among the first Western cities to receive the Gospel, that arrived by the ancient Roman roads. Among the evangelizing saints, I recall Saint Leucio, Bishop; Saint Oronzo, Saint Theodore of Amasea, and Saint Lawrence of Brindisi.”
The Pope exhorted the priests to persevere in the quest for unity of intention and mutual help, “so that fraternal charity and unity in your pastoral work may be an example and inspiration to your community.” He later said, “I know that you are already working with zeal and intelligence, sparing no efforts in proclaiming the glad tidings of the Gospel. Christ, to whom you have consecrated your lives, is with you! In Him we all believe, to Him alone to we entrust our lives; it is Him we want to announce to the world. Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (cf. Jn 14:6): may this be the focus of our every thought, the word on our lips, the reason for our lives. Dear brother priests, in order to ensure your faith is always strong and vigorous, it is important, as you well know, to nourish it with assiduous prayer. Be, then, models of prayer, become masters of prayer. Let your day be marked by times of prayer, where following Jesus’ example, you are caught up in a renewing dialogue with the Father. I know it is not easy to be faithful to these daily commitments with the Lord, especially today when the rhythm of life has become hectic and activities become increasingly more absorbing. We should remain convinced: the moment of prayer is the most important moment in a priest's life, the moment in which divine grace acts most effectively, making his ministry fruitful. Prayer is the first service to be offered to the community. Therefore, moments of prayer should be a real priority in our lives. I know so many things require our attention: as far as I am concerned – an audience, a document to study, a meeting, and further commitments. But, if we are not ourselves in communion with God, neither will we be able to offer anything to the others. Therefore, God is the first priority. We should always reserve the necessary time for prayerful communion with the Lord.”
Benedict XVI later expressed his joy at the inauguration of the new archiepiscopal seminary, highlighting that this reveals “the present state of a Diocese, being the result of efforts carried out be priests and parishes,” and at the same time, it is also a valuable investment in the future, “as it guarantees, through a patient and generous labor, that Christian communities will not be left without pastors of souls, masters of the faith, zealous guides, and testimonies of Christ’s charity.”
The Diocesan Synod, which is the first since the Second Vatican Council and the unification of the Dioceses of Brindisi and Ostuni, “is a chance to relaunch the apostolic commitment of the entire archdiocese, but it is above all a special moment of communion which helps you to rediscover the value of fraternal service,” the Holy Father pointed out, recalling that among its objectives it “should revive the missionary spirit, that constantly animates the Church, in every Baptized person.”
At the end of his speech, the Pope focused on service as “one of the fundamental dimensions of Christian life,” and the Synod should help the local Church, in all its sectors, to rediscover the meaning and joy of service: service for love. “This holds true, above all, for you, dear priests, molded after Christ 'Head and Pastor' and always ready to guide His flock. Recognize the gift you have received, and be joyful for it! Be generous in performing your mission! Base it on assiduous prayer and on permanent cultural, theological and spiritual formation!”
The Pope’s last invitation in his speech was regarding preparations for the Pauline Year. “It could be an occasion for a generous relaunch of missionary activity, for a more profound announcement of the Word of God, welcomed, meditated upon, and translated into a fruitful apostolate.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 17/6/2008)