The Pope Video: For the formation of men and women religious and seminarians

In the Pope video for May 2024 he asks us to pray “that men and women religious, and seminarians, grow in their own vocational journey through human, pastoral, spiritual and community formation, that leads them to be credible witnesses of the Gospel.” The Pope reminds us in his message that beginning in the seminary or novitiate, preparation must develop integrally in direct contact with the lives of other people.

Pope Francis recalls that formation does not end at a certain moment, but continues throughout life. In addition, it involves various aspects such as the awareness of one’s own limitations, prayer, dedication to bear witness to the Gospel, preparation for life in community and nearness to the lives of others.

Father Frédéric Fornos S.J., International Director of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, analyzing the content of the Pope’s message, reflects: “It is positive that Pope Francis reminds us once more, and in the light of Veritatis Gaudium, of the importance of the integral formation for young people who undertake a journey in religious life or as seminarians. Such formation must embrace every dimension of human life: affective, spiritual, pastoral, and communitarian. In an ecclesial context marked by the abuse of power and  conscience, and sexual abuse, which have structural and ideological roots, it is crucial that formation promote an openness to the human and affective dimension, facilitating self-awareness; that it foster an authentic experience with Christ in such a way that the witness of life can communicate the Good News to others; that it foster living together in community, so as to learn to accept and value differences and how to work in teams; that it include the intercultural and interreligious context; and that it assure a quality academic formation, with the goal of serving the mission of Christ better. The need for integral formation is imperative. The acquisition of knowledge is not enough. In addition, such integral formation prepares young people not only to face today’s challenges, but to act as bridges of dialogue in a world characterized by plurality and diversity. The ability to establish constructive dialogue and to remain open to the other is essential for the Church’s mission of presenting a compassionate, understanding, and close presence to all people.”