Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – On the afternoon of Sunday, September 7, the Holy Father Benedict XVI traveled to the Cathedral of Cagliari where he met with the priests, seminarians, and members of the Pontifical Theological Faculty of Sardinia. “Sardinia has had priests that, as authentic teachers of the faith, have left us wonderful examples of faith in Christ and the Church,” the Pope said during his address. “This same inestimable treasure of faith, spirituality, and culture is entrusted to you today; it is placed in your hands, so that you may safeguard it and be its wise administrators. Guard it and hold it safe with evangelical joy and passion!”
Addressing those from the Seminary and Theological School of Sardinia, Benedict XVI expressed his particular gratitude towards the teachers and professors, “that on a daily basis dedicate their lives to such an important apostolate,” and mentioned the need to lead the seminarians “to a personal experience of God through individual and community prayer on a daily basis, and above all through the Eucharist, celebrated and experienced as the center of existence.” To the seminarians and students of the Theological School, the Pope reminded them that theological formation “is a highly complex work that requires dedication” and that presents the dual need “to know the totality of Christian truths and to know them not as separate from one another, but in an organic way, as a unit, as a single truth of faith in God...In addition, during these years, all your activities and initiatives should lead you to communicate the love of Christ, the Good Shepherd. You are called by Him to be the ministers and witnesses of tomorrow: ministers of His grace and witnesses of His love.” Therefore, in reference to their studies, pastoral experiences, and apostolate, Benedict XVI advised the seminarians to “place the constant search for intimate union with Christ as the first priority.”
“Dear priests, dear aspirants for the priesthood and consecrated life, God loves you all and calls you to be workers in His vineyard, as He has with so many men and women in the history of this, your beautiful island. These people have known how to respond with a generous ‘yes’ to His call,” the Holy Father said, recalling the evangelizing work carried out by the various religious institutes and “the great flowering of religious vocations among women,” who have managed to “to spread Christ's love in villages, in families, in schools, in hospitals, in prisons and in workplaces,” as well as their presence in the cloistered monasteries.
To all the priests of Sardinia, the Pope assured them of his spiritual closeness, that they may “respond to the Lord’s call with complete fidelity” as have some of their brethren, not too long ago, as was the case of Fr. Graziano Muntoni, of the Diocese of Nuoro, murdered on Christmas Eve 1998 while on his way to celebrate Mass, and Fr. Battore Carzedda of the P.I.M.E., murdered in 1992 in Zamboanga (Philippines), “who gave his life so that believers in all religions may open to a sincere dialogue founded upon love.”
“Do not be afraid of or discouraged by difficulties,” the Pontiff said. “It is important you become grains of good wheat which, falling to earth, bring forth fruit. Reflect on your identity: the priest, for the Church and in the Church, is a humble yet authentic sign of the Eternal Priest who is Jesus. He must authoritatively proclaim the Word, renew gestures of forgiveness and giving, and exercise loving solicitude in the service of their flock, in communion with pastors and faithfully compliant to the teachings of the Magisterium. Every day you should revive the charism you received with the imposition of hands, identifying yourselves with Jesus Christ in His triple function of sanctifying, tending and feeding the flock.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 9/9/2008)
