Pope Benedict XVI visits local Roman Seminary Friday Evening

(February 13, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI made his annual visit to the Roman Major Seminary in Rome on Friday 12^th of February. He joined the seminarians and their rector in celebration on the eve of the Feast of Our Lady of Trust, patroness of the seminary. During the visit he met Cardinal Vicar of Rome Agostino Vallini and the seminary's rector, Msgr. Giovanni Tani. The Holy Father led a group of seminarians from the Major Seminary, two other seminaries and two colleges in scriptural readings. Msgr. Tani said that this year marks the first time that all of the seminarians from the other seminaries and colleges of the Diocese of Rome attended the celebration. The Roman Major Seminary is located on the opposite side of Rome from the Vatican, and is on the premises of the basilica of St. John Lateran, the official seat of the Bishop of Rome. In his homily the Pontiff told the Seminarians that in this Year for Priests they must be particularly attentive to the Lord's words that relate to the priestly service. Referring to the Gospel passage the Pope said that our call is to stand in the vineyard of the Lord, to be servants of his mystery. Jesus calls us all to abide in his love. Secondly the wine is a symbol, is an expression of joy of love. Speaking on the word Stay that is repeated ten times in the passage, the Pope said that they must stay in this great mystery, stay in this new gift of the Lord who made us the people in himself, in his Body and his Blood. The Holy Father then explained that in Christ, God has shown himself in the fullness of truth. Finally the Pope said that God answers our prayers, often responds with his goodness but he also corrects, transforms and leads us into the arms of his son, the true vine, and we the members of his body.