At the conclusion of his visit to Valencia’s cathedral, Pope Benedict XVI took a moment to greet the many seminarians preparing for the priesthood in Spain and to pray the Angelus with them and their families.  The Holy Father told the men that they should fully embrace their time of preparation for the priesthood.

“Live intensely the years of preparation in the seminary,” the Holy Father exhorted them, “with the guidance and help of your formators, and with the docility and complete trust of the Apostles, who followed Jesus without hesitation.”

“Learn from the Virgin Mary how to accept your vocation without reserve, with joy and generosity,” the Holy Father said.

The Pope also told the men to be thankful for the support of their families.  “Your parent’s love, devotion and fidelity, and the concord which reigns in your families, is the setting which best enables you to hear God’s call and to accept the gift of a vocation, the Pope said.”