VATICAN - Benedict XVI tells the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy: “The Lord wants us to be saints, not concerned with building a career that is interesting and comfortable in human terms, but entirely dedicated to the good of souls, ready to do our duty unto the end.”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “The service in the Apostolic Nunciatures can be considered to some extent, as a specific vocation to the priesthood, a pastoral ministry that involves insertion into a particular world and its problems are often very complex, both socially and politically. Thus, it is important that that you learn to decipher them, aware of the fact that your 'code' for analysis and understanding of these things should be the Gospel and the perennial Magisterium of the Church.” This is what the Holy Father Benedict XVI said in addressing the members of the Community of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, whom he received in an audience on May 23, at the end of the morning.
“You should be attentive to the human and social realities, beginning with a certain personal sensitivity that every person who serves the Holy See should have, taking advantage of your particular experience during these years. The dialogue with the modern world that is asked of you, as well as your contact with people and the institutions they represent, require an inner strength and a spiritual firmness capable of safeguarding - indeed of giving ever more prominence to - your Christian and priestly identity. Only in this manner will you be able to avoid the negative effects of the worldly mentality and not allow yourselves to be attracted or contaminated by an overly earthly logic.”
The Holy Father highlighted that “it is the Lord Himself who should be always and above all your reference,” recalling that “it is vital and fundamental for the priestly ministry, however practised, to maintain a personal bond with Christ.” “The Lord wants us to be saints, in other words entirely 'His', not concerned with building a career that is interesting and comfortable in human terms, not seeking success and the praise of others, but entirely dedicated to the good of souls, ready to do our duty unto the end, aware of being 'useful servants' and happy to offer our poor contribution to the spreading of the Gospel.”
In his address, Benedict XVI told the members of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy to be first and foremost “men of intense prayer who cultivate a communion of love and life with the Lord...Those who work in the Lord's vineyard in this way know that what is achieved with dedication, with sacrifice and for love, is never lost. And if at times we are permitted to drink of the chalice of solitude, of misunderstanding, and suffering, if our service seems at times a burden and it becomes difficult to carry the cross, may we find strength and comfort in the certainty that God can make everything fruitful.”
The Pope concluded with an exhortation, asking them to take full advantage of the Year of the Priest, which will begin this coming June 19, Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Day for the Sanctification of Priests, “to be priests in accordance with the dictates of Christ's heart, like St. Jean Marie Vianney, 'Cure of Ars', the 150th anniversary of whose death we are preparing to celebrate.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 25/5/2009)