Vatican City, Feb 22, 2004 / 22:00 pm
In his remarks to the community of the Pontifical Major Seminary of Rome, Pope John Paul II said last Saturday that seminarians “are in a special way the future and hope of the Church.”
“Their presence in the seminary attests to the strength of attraction that Christ exercises on the heart of young people. A strength that does not take away from liberty, on the contrary, it allows it to fully flourish by choosing the greatest good: God to whose service we dedicate ourselves forever,” the Pope added.
The Holy Father offered his remarks in the Paul VI Hall, on the occasion of the feast of Our Lady of Trust, patroness of the Seminary. Also present were students from the Capranica, Redemptoris Mater and Divine Love Seminaries. The choir and orchestra of the diocese of Rome played an oratorio inspired by “Roman Triptych,” John Paul II’s book of poetry which was published last year.
“In this age, there is the impression of a certain reluctance on the part of young people in the face of definitive and total commitments. It is as if they were afraid of making decisions that last an entire life,” he said.