Pope Francis urges the oldest seminary in Rome not to neglect closeness to God

Pope Francis urged a group of seminarians and seminary formators Almo Collegio Capranica to not neglect closeness to God, to the bishop and to the people and to live the mission to which Jesus calls the Church today with a synodal spirit.

“Live this mission in the style that we appropriately describe as ‘synodal,’” Pope Francis assured in the speech he gave before the oldest seminary in Rome, founded in 1457 by the Italian cardinal Domenico Capranica in his own palace to prepare thirty young clerics to the priesthood.

Thus he cited Final document of the XVI Assembly of the Synod of Bishopsin which it is specified that synodality is a path of spiritual renewal and structural reform to make the Church more participatory and missionary. “I cordially invite you to feel part of this path and to promote it from now on,” he emphasized.

The Holy Father recalled the approval in 2019 of the new Statutes who for six years have guided the Almo Collegio Capranica. In this context, he urged them to correspond to the guidelines they offer so that they mature “the faithful and responsible freedom that is required of those entrusted with a ministry in the Church.”

In his speech he recalled the “variety of origins” of the seminarians – 39 different dioceses, of which only 26 are Italian and which also include an eparchy of the Syro-Malabar Church – currently present in this seminary in Rome to perfect their priestly formation. in his early years.

For example, preeminent figures of the Roman Curia have also passed through its classrooms, such as the pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, Monsignor Rino Fisichella.

For Pope Francis, this multifaceted reality reflects “something of the one and multiple face of the holy, faithful People of God.”

“Do not forget: the holy faithful People of God, which is us, the Church. And do not forget what theology says: the faithful holy People of God are ‘infallible in believing’. Don’t forget this,” he said.

The Holy Father urged them not to get lost in their mission, for which he advised them not to neglect “fundamental relationships.” “The three proximities: closeness to God, closeness to the bishop and closeness to the people. The three proximities of a priest. And there is a fourth: closeness to others. “Do not forget these surroundings,” he remarked.

In his speech to this seminary in Rome, which also deals with the liturgical service in some celebrations in the papal basilica of Santa María Maggiore, he urged them to also take care of closeness within the liturgical sphere. “There is no Christian liturgy if the gestures we make are not accompanied by a life of faith, hope and charity,” he highlighted.

Specifically, he explained that charity is expressed in the Almo Collegio Capranica specifically, not only “with words”, but also through a “small, but precious service of assistance to people in need.”

“May this service also help you not to falter, as happens when you lose contact with those who find themselves in situations of marginality and difficulty,” concluded the Holy Father.