Pope to Italian seminarians: The Church is a "work in progress"

By Lisa Zengarini

“The Church is above all an open construction site” that “remains constantly on the move, open to the novelty of the Spirit, overcoming the temptation to preserve itself and its interests”.

Pope Francis offered that insight on Friday morning as he addressed seminarians and community members of the Seminary "Alessio Ascalesi" of the Archdiocese of Naples celebrating the 90th anniversary of its inauguration.

A synodal Church under construction

In his prepared remarks he gave the group in the Clementine Hall, the Pope reflected on the ongoing nature of priestly formation needed to bring the “beauty of the Gospel” to the people of our time, listening to the Holy Spirit, and their demands.

“Let us remember – he said – “that formation never ends, it lasts a lifetime, and if it stops, we do not remain where we were, but we regress.”

A synodal Church that walks alongside the Crucified and Risen Christ, and listens to the Spirit requires ministers, that is “servants”, who “know how to adopt a pastoral discernment style in every situation”, the Pope said.  

The path to the priesthood is also a construction site

He explained that the path to the priesthood is also a construction site in which future priests are “called to get involved in truth, allowing God to build His work over the years.”

Pope Francis, therefore invited the seminarians not to be afraid to “let the Lord act” in their lives through the Holy Spirit: “After cleansing the inner falsehoods, the Spirit will give you a new heart, will build your life according to the style of Jesus, will make you new creatures and missionary disciples.”  

“It can certainly be hard work,” the Pope noted, “but if you remain docile and true, open to the action of the Spirit without stiffening and defending yourselves, you will discover the tenderness of the Lord within your weaknesses and in the pure joy of service.”

Pope Francis thus spurred the seminarians to “dig deep”, “doing the truth" in themselves, cultivate their inner life, meditate on God’s Word, and to “delve into the questions of our time and theological and pastoral issues”.

The Pope also recommended they work on emotional and human maturity: “Without it,” he said, “ you won't get anywhere!”

Noting that the seminary itself is a construction site, where new formation  programmes have been introduced to adapt priestly ministry to the needs of our time, Pope Francis welcomed the “novelties” as “opportunities for grace and service, discerning the presence of God.”

Fraternity is the one of greatest testimonies priests can offer to the world

Bringing his address to a close, the Pope encouraged the members of the community of the Seminary "Alessio Ascalesi" to  “travel the  path of conversion and renewal” he called for in his Lenten message, by allowing themselves ”to be conquered with renewed amazement by the love of God”, “rediscovering with joy the taste of sobriety”, caring for the poor, justice and creation,  “living in peace and harmony, and learning to live in fraternity with humility.”

“Fraternity,” he stressed, “is, especially today, one of the greatest testimonies we can offer to the world.”

Pope Francis concluded by entrusting their "work in progress" to Naples’ Patron Saint, St. Gennaro, to Saint Vincenzo Romano, a parish priest who formed in the Seminary, and their spiritual father,  Blessed Mariano Arciero, whose feast is marked on 16 February.