Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - In his homily addressed to Seminarians at St Joseph’s Major seminary in Yangon this morning, 23 November, during his pastoral visit to a number of countries in south east Asia, Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, said: “First of all, we must understand that, among the various vocations which are common to all the Christians, you have received a special Call. This has been given not for your merits or qualities, but as a free gift of God who has decided for each one of you from eternity”.
The Cardinal began his homily assuring the students that he brought to them affectionate greetings and Blessing from the Pope. He then spoke of the priesthood and aspects of this special vocation. He recalled the qualities necessary for those who wish to serve the Church as priests: “Those who are called to priesthood should be [balanced people, strong and free, capable of bearing the weight of pastoral responsibilities. They need to be educated to love the truth, to be loyal, to respect every person, to have a sense of justice, to be true to their word, to be genuinely compassionate, to be men of integrity and especially to be balanced in judgement and behaviour] (Pastores dabo vobis, n.43)”. The missionary Prefect stressed that the seminary is a place of formation. “One does not acquire all of these qualities overnight, and this is another reason why Seminary Formation is spread over a number of years. When you look closely at the demands made on pastors today, and on the human, spiritual, emotional and academic requirements necessary to adequately meet the pastoral demands of the faithful you might realise just how short the time in the seminary is, compared to a lifetime of service. For this reason” he said “the Major Seminary is considered as a Formation House. It is an Educational Community in progress”.
Without sound spiritual formation, the life of the priest will fail, “in this formation, the most important thing is to maintain and deepen an intimate friendship with Jesus through daily nourishment from the Scriptures, through the recitation of the Liturgy of the Hours, the celebration of daily Mass and through meditation and reflection” Cardinal Sepe, told the students and added: “In your life as seminarians, due attention should be given to the frequency of the reception of the Sacrament of Penance in order to experience the infinite mercy of God”.
Celibacy and chastity were the last topics on which the Cardinal reflected. A priest “offers himself body and soul to God and to others, like a Jesus Christ... without time limit”, and this is why the Church requires celibacy “which is not a condition but a way of signifying our total and joyful offering. It gives you clarity of purpose, courage, freedom and joy in exercising your ministry,” he said. Finally, recalling that “there are a great number of people in your country who are eager to listen to the Word of God and to receive the Sacraments”, Cardinal Sepe urged the seminarians to realise the Church’s missionary dimension: “the whole Church is missionary and the work of evangelisation is to be considered a fundamental duty in this new Millennium. As future priests you should be conscious of this responsibility and therefore to play your part in the missionary activity.”.
After celebrating Mass at St. Joseph’s seminary Yangon Cardinal Sepe departed for Thailand (see Fides info) on the next lap of his pastoral visit. He will go the Assumption Cathedral in Bangkok and have a meeting with representatives of the local Church. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 23/11/2004; righe 37; parole 512)
