Cologne, Germany, Aug 18, 2005 / 22:00 pm
In a special meeting today with more than 500 seminarians at World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany, Pope Benedict XVI said the seminary years are a time of preparing for mission and a “springtime” in the life of a follower of Christ.
Pope Benedict wished to celebrate the vespers of this Friday, talking to the seminarians, addressing the mystery of vocations in the church, and giving them a special message on their mission.
Amid a colorful and joyful audience, and after listening to various testimonies, the first one by a seminarian, one by a young priest from Kazakhstan and finally one from a bishop of Quebec, all stressing on their personal encounter with Christ, and the way they answered the special call to serve him in his church.
The Pope seemingly moved by these testimonies, and smiling abundantly, then delivered his speech on vocations in the church in four different languages.