In audience to the students and the formators from the San Pelayo and Redemptoris Mater Seminary, the local bishop, Don Demetrio Fernández, also participated in the audience.

We now present the English translation of the Pope’s address, which was followed, as in previous meetings with seminarians from Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona, Seville, Toledo, San Sebastián, and others, by an opportunity for spontaneous questions and answers.

***

Dear brother,
Dear seminarians and formators,

It is a great joy for me to welcome you to this house, to which you come as pilgrims of hope in this Jubilee year. In the journey of life, we can identify hope as the signs that indicate the way to us.

The first sign is the direction: towards heaven, towards the definitive encounter with Jesus. Not in the first positions, not in the most comfortable places: those are blind alleys from which, if we have the misfortune to enter, we must leave in reverse, with effort and shame.

The second sign is the dangers on the way. You come from a beautiful place that takes its name from Saint Pelagius, and occupies the ancient site of the field of the martyrs. As that boy saint did then, in the midst of the pain of a war, of the cruelty most unworthy of the human being, armed with the helmet of hope, you can bear witness, you can persevere on the path of the Lord, convinced that Jesus will always support you and also give you the strength to be sowers of hope.

And the third sign is the areas of refreshment. On this journey, which has now brought you to Rome, to cross the Holy Door and visit the tombs of the apostles, we need to be sustained, to feel the presence of Him who is our hope, Jesus. He presents Himself to us as Master, as Lord, He gives Himself to us as food in His Word and in the Eucharist, He shelters us when we break down in the middle of the road, and He welcomes us when fatigue overcomes us and we have to stop for a pause. Without this hope, setting out would be foolhardy, but trusting in Him, we have no doubt that we will arrive at the desired port.

However, never think that sowing hope means polite words or opting for a honeyed good-naturedness. This path is the path of Jesus, which leads to the heavenly Jerusalem, passing through the earthly one, embraced by the cross, and supported by a myriad of Cyrenes. A path in which one cannot advance alone, but as a community, guiding, defending, assisting and blessing those whom the Lord has left as our task. May Jesus sustain you in all this and may the Virgen de la Fuensanta protect you.

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More Integral and Personalized Formation 

The document proposes a formative itinerary divided in four stages — propaedeutics, discipleship, configuration and vocational synthesis — which add up to a minimum of eight years. However, it highlights a key change: emphasis on personalization of the formative processes. Far from imposing rigid deadlines, it seeks to adapt times according to individual needs, enabling seminarians to advance in their spiritual, affective and vocational maturity at their own pace.

This focus not only prioritizes theological learning, but also promotes an integral formation that encompasses personal conscience, motivations and convictions.

The Role of the Community and The Mission

One of the essential pillars of this document is the strengthening of the relationship between the seminarian and the Christian community. Sought in the formative stage is greater involvement of the People of God, making the community participate actively in the discernment and accompaniment of the candidates to the priesthood. This aspect reinforces the missionary and communitarian dimension of the formation, which now is regarded as inseparable for pastoral exercise.

A Renewed Focus on Affectivity and Celibacy

The text underscores the importance of affective-sexual formation, pointing it out as essential for genuine priestly ministry. Beyond the mere contention of impulses, a lived celibacy is promoted from freedom, generous love and the capacity to build respectful and mature relations with men and women, young and older people, families and consecrated persons.

According to the document, celibacy is not only a renunciation but an expression of chaste love that removes the desire for possession, inviting priests to a life of dedication and service with genuine interior freedom.

Inclusion and Discernment in Diversity

One of the most innovative and controversial points of the document is its focus on candidates with different homosexual orientations. Although it reaffirms the Church’s general guidelines, it also urges not to reduce vocational discernment to this sole aspect. Proposed, instead, is to evaluate each candidate in his totality, considering his personality, emotional maturity and ability to live in harmony with the values of the priesthood. This aspect has sparked perplexities and it has been the point on which the press has focused, making the point pass as an opening of the Church to gays in Seminaries, which is false.

Psychological Science as Ally of Formation 

For the first time a more explicit role is given to Psychology in the Seminaries. Candidates will be able to access processes of psychological accompaniment, as long as the latter respect privacy and have the free consent of the seminarians. This incorporation seeks to strengthen human and emotional maturity in the future priests, avoiding abuses of conscience and promoting more healthy and balanced relationships.

Adult Vocations and New Formative Modalities 

The document also pays attention to late vocations and proposes modalities such as semi-residential communities for their accompaniment. This focus responds to the growing diversity of vocational profiles and the need to attend individual sensibilities in appropriate formative environments.

Response to Contemporary Challenges

With this renewed framework, the Church in Italy seeks to form more prepared priests to respond to the challenges of today’s world, strengthening their capacity of pastoral leadership, mission and communion. The integration of synodality as a central principle in the document, reflects Pope Francis call for a more inclusive, dialoguing Church centered on the service to the neighbor.

Although this process of renewal is not exempt from challenges, it marks a significant step towards a priestly formation that not only responds to the needs of the Church, but also accompanies with sensibility and depth the future priests in their vocational journey. This document will be tested for three years and applies only to Italian Seminaries.

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Custody of a Young Spiritual Heritage

The decision was announced on January 11, in a press release signed by the recently appointed Prefect of the Dicastery, Sister Simona Brambilla, and its Under-Secretary, Father Aitor Jiménez Echave. According to the document, the appointments seek to guarantee that these young Congregations continue growing in fidelity to their mission, in key aspects such as formation, religious discipline and administration.

Monsignor José Antonio Satué Huerto, Bishop of Teruel and Albarracín, has been designated Papal Legate for the Incarnate Word Institute, whereas Sister Clara Echarte will be the Papal Legate for the Handmaids of the Lord and of the Virgin of Matará, the women’s Institute of this same Religious Family. Both Communities, of diocesan right, have roots in the diocese of San Rafael, Argentina. Currently they operate from their main quarters in Valletri-Segni, Italy.

A Decision Based on An In-depth Analysis 

The press release details that this measure is the result of a prolonged evaluation process, including an Apostolic Visit to the women’s Institute led by Sister Echarte. During this period, Cardinal Santos Abril y Castelló played a key role as Pontifical Commissioner of the men’s Institute, contributing to a thorough supervision that has now reached a new stage.

The Vatican expressed its gratitude to Cardinal Abril y Castelló for the “paternal service” he has offered in the last years, highlighting his role in the accompaniment of these Communities during crucial times of development and challenge.

Accompaniment Towards a Solid Future

Beyond the acknowledgements, the press release stressed the Vatican’s intention to continue working closely with these institutions. The objective “would be” to strengthen the pillars of their apostolic mission and to guarantee that their members receive an appropriate formation and adhere to the necessary religious discipline for their work in the modern world.

A Legacy That Continues Alive

Father Carlos Miguel Buela, who died in Genoa in 2023, left a significant mark on religious life through his founding work. Although his legacy has been the object of scrutiny, these new measures seek to guarantee that the original mission of the Divine Word Institutes and of the Handmaids of the Lord  and of the Virgin of Matará continues resonating in fidelity and relevance.

What Is a Papal Legate?

A Papal Legate is a special representative of the Pope, designated to carry out a specific mission in his name. This position has historical roots in the Catholic Church’s structure and continues to be relevant today. The figure of the Papal Legate enables the Pope to exercise his authority and symbolic presence in important places or situations, without the need to be physically present.

Types of Papal Legates

1. Legate a Latere:

• Is the most important type of Legate and is designated for specific, solemn and temporal missions. This would be such a case.
• The title “a latere means “from his side,” indicating that he acts directly in the Pope’s name.
• In general, it is a Cardinal who receives this appointment to represent the Pope in important events, such as Eucharistic Congresses, Consecrations and International Ceremonies.

2. Born or Nato Legate:

• Is a permanent title given to certain Metropolitan Archbishops of historical importance, such as the Archbishops of Canterbury or of Armagh.
• Although it does not imply a special mission, at present it symbolizes a historical link with the Holy See.

3. Apostolic Legate

• Also known as Apostolic Nuncio, he is a permanent representative of the Pope in a foreign country.
• He acts as Ambassador of the Holy See and is usually in charge of diplomatic relations with the local government, in addition to serving as link between the Pope and the dioceses of that region.

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(ZENIT News / Burkina Faso, 01.10.2024).- Despite the widespread terrorism which is increasingly affecting Burkina Faso, and although priests and catechists are the main targets among pastoral agents, the country has seen a growth in priestly vocations in recent years. Supporting these future priests in their formation is one of ACN’s priorities.

While for most people Christmas is a time of family reunions, this is not the case for many seminarians in Burkina Faso. Because of the serious security crisis caused by terrorism, some must forego joining their families.

“Not everyone knows where to go during the Christmas holidays,” Fr Guy Moukassa Sanon tells the international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). Fr Guy is rector of the St Peter and St Paul seminary of Kossoghin in Ouagadougou, the inter-diocesan philosophy seminary. For some of these young men, to go home would imply risking their lives, so instead they are welcomed in diocesan centres or host families or invited by other seminarians to spend the holidays with their families in safer regions.

Vocation in difficult times

Almost 40% of the young men at the inter-diocesan philosophy seminary come from dioceses in the “red zone” which are badly affected by terrorism. Despite all the difficulties, the number of seminarians in the country continues to grow. Just at St Peter and St Paul, the number of seminarians has increased from 254 in the 2019-2020 academic year – when terrorism began to affect the Church in Burkina Faso – to 281 for 2024-2025.

In the past some did risk joining their families. For Marius, a third-year philosophy student at the St Peter and St Paul seminary, it ended in tragedy. In 2022, while taking a route to visit his father in an isolated village under terrorist control, he was abducted. His body was never found, but the family is convinced that he was killed.

“Some seminarians have had narrow escapes,” recounts the rector. “One of them, for example, went home to spend the holiday with his family. While he was outside the house, the terrorists arrived. Their initial target was his father, a catechist, who fortunately was away at the time. However, the terrorists, who were well informed, then demanded the seminarian son. Hearing their threats, he climbed over a wall and fled into the fields under the cover of night. Although the terrorists went after him, they didn’t manage to find him. He hid for a whole day, waiting for the danger to pass before he returned home.”

According to Fr Sanon, the fact that so many young Burkinabés want to become priests despite the security crisis is thanks to good vocations work but also because it’s easy for young men to meet people in their daily lives “who witness to the love of Christ in an obvious way”. Since secularisation is not yet as present in Burkina Faso as it is in Europe, Fr Sanon explains that the awakening of a vocation is easier “than in a materialist context where you don’t expect anything of God”.

The challenges of forming future priests

The rector says that the number of seminarians at St Peter and St Paul is so great that there isn’t even enough space for them all. “We’ve converted community rooms into little units separated by partitions to accommodate them. However, the conditions are far from ideal for their studies, and even that hasn’t been enough to be able to welcome everyone, so we’ve had to accommodate 22 seminarians outside and send another 11 to a seminary in Mali.”

Fr Sanon underlines the importance of good formation of future priests for the credibility of the Church. “It’s crucial that future priests can give authentic witness to their faith, that they have really been able to meet Christ personally, that the Gospel is their food and their passion.”

Another major challenge in the formation of future priests lies in social concerns related to the co-existence of different religions, exacerbated by the security situation in Burkina Faso: “There are different terrorist groups in Burkina Faso. Some of them kill people without distinction, whether they are Muslim or Christian. Others, in contrast, who want to impose sharia, target Christians directly. Before terrorism, co-existence between Muslims and Christians was no problem, even in our families, which were often made up of several religions. Many seminarians have Muslim parents, and although that may initially have caused disappointment, at the end of the day it wasn’t a problem. However, today if you’re not careful, social cohesion can be threatened. That is why it is crucial to form future priests who promote communion, because the Church, at the service of society, must work for unity.”

Since Burkinabé dioceses are often unable to mobilise the necessary financial resources for quality seminary formation, ACN supports them in this important task. “I want to express my deep gratitude to ACN and all its generous benefactors who give sacrificially so that we can form Burkina Faso’s future priests,” says Fr Sanon. “Some of our seminarians are in a precarious situation; they don’t receive any help from their families, because these are in a sorry condition: displaced or prevented by the terrorists from bringing in the harvest. Thanks to ACN’s support we can finance their formation and that of their teachers.”

He adds: “Often, you can only appreciate things you have lost. Here, if you ask someone what he wants, he replies: peace. May the grace of the Infant Jesus reach all our hearts. I also pray for peace for all our benefactors: a peace which only the Infant Jesus can bring, a deep peace which the world cannot give.”

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A Return to Disputed Traditions

Cardinal Ranjith justifies his decision arguing that service at the altar is one of the main sources of vocations to the priesthood, a vocation reserved strictly for men in the Catholic Church. According to Cardinal Ranjith, to allow girls to serve at the altar could “affect the number of candidates that enter the Seminaries, a risk we cannot run.”

With this position, the Cardinal reinforces a historical tradition that, until the end of the 20th century, had excluded women from liturgical service. This exclusion, supported for centuries by Popes such as Benedict XIV and other ecclesiastical leaders, was modified in the decade of the 1990s under the pontificate of Saint John Paul II who allowed the inclusion of women as Ministers of the Altar.

Vocations and Exclusion: Necessity or Setback?

The Cardinal’s measure has unleashed questions on the relationship between masculine exclusivity in certain liturgical roles and the fostering of vocations. Although the Cardinal’s argument emphasizes the importance of protecting a source of candidates to the priesthood, it also poses questions about inclusion and women’s role in the Church.

For some sectors, limiting liturgical service to young men reinforces a hierarchical and excluding vision that could alienate women from a more active participation in the life of the Church. For others, it’s about a pragmatic decision in a context where priestly vocations are in decline, particularly in countries such as Sri Lanka.

Weight of The Historical Precedent

Although the tradition of excluding women from the altar has deep roots, its opening during Saint John Paul II’s pontificate was seen as a significant step to greater inclusion. The Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative Texts also interpreted canon 230 paragraph 2 of the Code of Canon Law to allow this practice, marking an important change in liturgical norms.

However, Cardinal Ranjith’s decision seems to go in the opposite sense, prioritizing the local need of vocations over a global vision of equality of participation.

Implications for the Church and the Laity

Beyond the immediate impact on Colombo’s parishes, this measure highlights the persistent tensions in the Catholic Church regarding women’s role in its structures. The exclusion of girls as altar servers not only affects their participation in the liturgy, but also transmits a message on their place in ecclesial life.

At a time when Pope Francis and others leaders have advocated for a greater inclusion of women in leadership roles and consultation inside the Church, this decision poses a striking contrast.

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Since its founding, the program has provided nearly $14 million in scholarships to more than 1700 individuals, known as Saeman Scholars, to advance their education and prepare them to return home and serve in leadership positions in their own countries.

“We are inspired by, and committed to, Saint John Paul II’s vision to prepare Catholic leaders and educators for service,” said Eustace Mita, President of The Papal Foundation Board of Trustees. “These scholarships help train those called to lead in developing nations, where resources for ongoing leadership formation are limited.”

In 1998, then Pope John Paul II was asked what he would do with an unrestricted, $5 million gift. Without hesitating, he said he would provide scholarships for tuition, room, and board to priests, religious sisters, and laity from disadvantaged countries, allowing them to study in Rome and then return to their dioceses to teach the authentic magisterium of the Church. The program launched in 2000 thanks to the wonderful generosity of John and Carol Saeman of Denver, CO, who made the initial $5 million gift that was matched by The Papal Foundation.

“This scholarship is a miracle for myself and the people of my area,” said Justin Musona, a diocesan priest from the Catholic Diocese of Mutare in Zimbabwe. “I embrace learning, and the scholarship has given me a deeper level of understanding and education in our Faith.  I want to assure you that I will put my learnings to good use in the pastoral field.” “Saint John Paul II knew we needed a way to provide educational opportunities in Rome for individuals from disadvantaged countries, so they could return to their dioceses equipped to help secure the future of the Church around the world,” added Dave Savage, Executive Director of The Papal Foundation. “He himself was sent to Rome as a student priest, an experience that helped shape his life of servant leadership. Forming leaders in the Catholic Church is a blessing, and we and we are incredibly grateful to John and Carol Saeman, who made this work possible.

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The audience was held in the Apostolic Palace at 8:30 am. It happens to be the first inter-diocesan seminary created in Spain following a meeting the Holy Father Francis had with the entire Spanish Episcopate on November 28, 2023. In the words of José Antonio Castro, the Seminary’s Rector, “the audience with the Pope is an incentive in the process we are engaged in and it will help our Seminary to continue walking in fidelity to the Gospel and the Church.”

Pope Francis opted once again to read personally the message he had prepared, which we reproduce below, and to answer the questions the seminarians freely posed to him.

* * *

Dear Brother Bishops,

Dear Formators and Seminarians of the “Apostle James” Major Inter-Diocesan Seminary

Good morning. I welcome you all who know well the footsteps of the Apostle James in Spain, and now you come as pilgrims to Rome, in the footsteps of the Apostle Peter and other faithful followers of Jesus. As they say in your land, [you are on] the right track!

I know that, since September, you have been living a new way as “Inter-Diocesan” Seminary, uniting the dioceses of Santiago de Compostela, Tui-Vigo and Mondoñedo-Ferrol. I thank you for your availability. I encourage you to go forward with renewed fortitude and hope.

I believe the image of “pilgrimage” is appropriate to indicate the formative itinerary that you are following. As pilgrims, we first hear a call, which impels us to go out of ourselves; then we throw ourselves into the adventure and begin to walk, in the course of different moments and stages. Finally, we arrive at the goal. This also happens in the formation to the priesthood, where the objective is to become Pastors of the People of God, Pastors forged in the measure of Christ’s Heart, humble and merciful. Remember that you are not alone on the way, this is fundamental: do not be afraid to open your heart to the Lord and to let yourselves be accompanied by Him, so that He goes moulding your lives. 

Moreover, don’t forget that, on the way, you will meet many different people, sometimes you will be going through difficult moments, [with those] who are wounded and do not know God. Be for all of them witnesses of the joy of the Gospel, offering them the tenderness and consolation of the Lord, so that He will heal the blisters of the path. Do not fail to be those “yellow arrows” that, as Saint John the Baptist, point out Jesus and say to all, with his words but also and especially with his way of living: “This is the Lamb of God” (John 1:29).

Dear brothers, the Holy Year 2025 is approaching, with this Jubilee grace that is given to us, let us continue walking together, as pilgrims of hope, to the heavenly homeland.

May Jesus bless you and the Holy Virgin look after you. And please, when you return, ask James the Apostle to intercede for me. Thank you very much.

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The celebrations were graced by the presence of Monsignor Fortunatus Nwachukwu, Secretary of the Vatican Dicastery for Evangelization and a proud alumnus of the seminary. Presiding over the outdoor ceremony attended by hundreds, Monsignor Nwachukwu emphasized the transformative nature of diaconal ordination in his homily. “As Stephen and his companions, you are elevated not by lineage or heritage, as the Levites were, but by God’s divine choice,” he remarked, urging the new deacons to embrace their vocation as a universal calling to serve.

A Legacy of Service and Impact

Founded a century ago and named after Jeanne Bigard, co-founder of the Pontifical Work of St. Peter the Apostle, the Bigard Memorial Seminary has grown into a beacon of theological and philosophical education. Currently hosting 780 seminarians, the institution has made an indelible mark on the Church. Its alumni include four cardinals, 14 archbishops, and 37 bishops, alongside countless priests ministering worldwide.

Centennial Highlights

The centenary celebrations extended beyond the spiritual, encompassing a vibrant mix of cultural and athletic events, competitions, and the premiere of a documentary chronicling the seminary’s rich history. A significant moment in the festivities was the blessing of a new residential pavilion, symbolizing the seminary’s ongoing expansion and commitment to the formation of future clergy.

The main building, inaugurated on March 4, 1951, remains a testament to the vision and dedication of those who have sustained the seminary over the decades. As Bigard looks ahead, its leadership and community remain focused on fostering a new generation of clergy equipped to meet the challenges of modern evangelization.

A Testament to Faith

Bigard Memorial Seminary’s 100-year journey is not just a chronicle of milestones but a testament to the enduring power of faith and education. As the newly ordained deacons embark on their ministry, they carry forward a legacy rooted in service, resilience, and the pursuit of spiritual excellence.

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The ceremony was presided over by Bishop Hugo Nicolás Barbaro of San Roque de Presidencia Roque Sáenz Peña, Argentina. His homily was a heartfelt call to embrace a life of selflessness, inspired by the teachings of Christ and the founder of Opus Dei, St. Josemaría Escrivá.

A Call to Serve: «Be a Carpet for Others»

In his homily to the ordinands, Bishop Barbaro drew upon an image deeply rooted in the spirituality of Opus Dei. “The priest must be a carpet where others tread softly,” he reminded the new deacons, emphasizing that their ministry begins with humility and a readiness to serve.

Drawing from the words of Pope Francis, Barbaro highlighted the unpredictability of true service: “Serving means being available, renouncing personal agendas, and being open to God’s surprises, which often manifest through the needs of others.”

He urged the new deacons to balance structure and spontaneity, listening to God and to the people they serve. “To truly serve,” he said, “one must pray, encourage, listen, forgive, and bring joy. It means treating everyone with equal kindness.”

Christ as the Model of Service

At the conclusion of the ordination, Monsignor Fernando Ocáriz, the Prelate of Opus Dei, offered words of gratitude and encouragement. He reminded the new deacons that their mission mirrors the life of Christ, the ultimate servant.

“It is through a personal encounter with Christ in the Eucharist and prayer that we enlarge our hearts to embrace everyone,” Ocáriz said. He also acknowledged the joy shared by the ordinands’ families and invited them to continue supporting the deacons in prayer as they prepare for priesthood.

Ocáriz reflected on the legacy of St. Josemaría, expressing confidence that the founder was rejoicing in heaven. “Through his intercession,” Ocáriz said, “may these deacons welcome and accompany all souls, with the maternal guidance of the Virgin Mary.”

A Diverse Group Reflecting the Global Reach of Opus Dei

The 20 new deacons represent a tapestry of cultures and backgrounds, showcasing the international scope of Opus Dei’s mission. Among them were:

– Vincenzo Affinita and Stefano Baravelli (Italy)

– John Robert Bickford and Robert Alvin Marsland (United States)

– Artur Escamilla (Australia)

– Santiago Populín Such and Pedro Perkins (Argentina)

– Jose Miguel Marasigan (Philippines)

– Santiago Fabregat (Mexico)

– Ramón Fernández Aparicio, Luis García-Menacho Ariz, and others from Spain

The Mission Ahead

As these men begin their diaconal ministry, their task is clear: to be instruments of service, both within the Church and in the broader world. Their ordination reflects a timeless truth within Catholicism—that true greatness lies in humble service, inspired by Christ and fueled by love for all people.

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A Legacy of Decline

This crisis, outlined in a recent Irish Times report, is rooted in a decades-long trend. Once home to thriving seminaries such as Clonliffe and All Hallows, alongside the still-operational national seminary at Maynooth, Dublin now faces a stark reality: only two priests have been ordained since 2020.

Nationwide, the situation is equally dire. Since 1970, Ireland has seen a 70% drop in the number of priests and religious, with the aging clergy becoming a pressing issue. Over the past three years alone, more than 25% of priests in Ireland have passed away, and the average age of those remaining has surpassed 70.

Father Tim Hazelwood of the Association of Catholic Priests warns that such predictions often underestimate the pace of change. Reflecting on the experience of the Christian Brothers, he noted that declines projected over 20 years were realized in just a decade. “People are shocked,” he said, referring to the accelerating losses.

Overburdened Clergy and the Strain of Ministry

The dwindling numbers have left aging priests shouldering heavier responsibilities. In rural dioceses, some priests are tasked with serving up to 12 churches, a burden Father Hazelwood describes as «unjust.» The strain is palpable even in urban settings like Dublin, where financial pressures compound the challenges. The latest diocesan financial report warns that reserves for its charitable arm, Diocesan Support Services, could be depleted within 16 years.

The reliance on international clergy has become a critical lifeline. Monsignor John Byrne, based in Portlaoise, Midlands, oversees a parish supported by priests from Indonesia, Romania, China, and Brazil. However, even this international aid is insufficient to address the growing gap in leadership.

Laity and Adaptation

In response to the shortage, Irish dioceses are increasingly turning to lay involvement. Laity are being trained to lead funeral liturgies, a role traditionally reserved for priests. This shift signals a broader transformation in how the Church envisions ministry in a time of scarcity.

The changes are not isolated to Ireland. In England and Wales, seminary admissions have fluctuated, with just 16 men entering training in 2022, down from 20 the previous year. Globally, vocations are rising in Africa and Asia, but this growth cannot offset the decline in Europe and Oceania.

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