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Image: Statue of Jean-Marie Vianney in the church of a small village in France
Pope Francis’ greeting to the seminarians of the major seminary of Getafe, Spain
Clementine Hall – Saturday, 3 August 2024
“if we understood well what a priest on earth is, we would die: not of fear, but of love”. (The Curate of Ars)
John Vianney was a priest often referred to as the Curé d’Ars.
He is known for his priestly and pastoral work in his parish in Ars, France.
which led to a radical spiritual transformation of the community and its surroundings
Dear Brothers,
I am pleased to welcome to the Holy See the community of the Major Seminary of Getafe who, accompanied by the Diocesan Bishop Ginés García Beltrán and the Auxiliary Bishop José María Avendaño, the Rector and the Formators, have come on a pilgrimage to the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul, as part of the program of celebrations for the thirtieth anniversary of the foundation of the seminary.
I thank you for your visit, in the hope that your Pilgrimage to Rome will also help you to prepare spiritually for the joyful celebration of the coming Jubilee of 2025.
Saint John Mary Vianney, patron of the clergy with care for souls, whom we commemorate tomorrow, 4 August, used to say that “if we understood well what a priest on earth is, we would die: not of fear, but of love”.
Inspired by this thought of the holy Curate of Ars, which we find embodied in his life of total consecration to God and his parishioners, I would like to remind you, dear seminarians, that you too have received this call of the Lord’s love, and that with the help of your formators and many others, you are preparing yourselves to one day receive the gift of the priesthood.
This journey of configuration to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is not without difficulties; therefore, every time I meet you seminarians, I remind you that you should embark on it taking care of four fundamental aspects, which are spiritual life, study, community life and apostolic activity.
It is essential that you do not lose sight of the harmony of this quadruple reality that you must achieve, because the Lord, and the Church, expect you seminarians to be, first of all, men of integrity and generous in responding to the vocation you have received, always ready to listen and to forgive, determined to live to the full your total commitment to God and to your brothers and sisters, with a special preference for those who suffer most, for the poor and the marginalized..
Dear seminarians, it is not by chance that the main seminary is located on the Cerro de los Ángeles, traditionally considered the geographical center of the Iberian Peninsula.
There is also the monument to the Sacred Heart and the hermitage of Our Lady of the Angels, patron saint of Getafe.
I ask the Lord Jesus to be the center of each one of your lives, to conform your hearts to his and to keep you always close to his heart.
And to Our Lady of the Angels, that she may watch over you and accompany you on your journey. Thank you.
