Speaking to the seminarians of Germany over the weekend, Pope Benedict XVI pointed
out the importance of one of his favorite activities: studying. On Monday the Vatican
published a translation of the Pope's words, which had been delivered without a prepared
text. He addressed the seminarians on Saturday at the Charles Borromeo Seminary Chapel
in Freiburg."In preparing for the priesthood, study is very much a part of the journey,"
the Pontiff affirmed. "This is not an academic accident that has arisen in the western
Church, it is something essential." Echoing the words of St. Peter, the Pope urged
the seminarians to "be prepared to [...] account for the hope that is in you." "Our
world today is a rationalist and thoroughly scientific world, albeit often somewhat
pseudo-scientific," he explained. "But this scientific spirit, this spirit of understanding,
explaining, know-how, rejection of the irrational, is dominant in our time." While
acknowledging that scientific knowledge is good, the Pope underlined the centrality
of faith: "Faith is not a parallel world of feelings that we can still afford to hold
on to, rather it is the key that encompasses everything, gives it meaning, interprets
it and also provides its inner ethical orientation: making clear that it is to be
understood and lived as tending toward God and proceeding from God." "Therefore,"
he added, "it is important to be informed and to understand, to have an open mind,
to learn." A reason for faith The Pope pointed to his own studies, noting that many
of the currents of thought he studied as a student have been "totally forgotten." He
encouraged the seminarians to dedicate themselves to contemporary currents, "for there
will be some enduring insights among them." "And most of all," he added, "this
is how we learn to judge, to think through an idea -- and to do so critically -- and
to ensure that in this thinking the light of God will serve to enlighten us and will
not be extinguished." "Studying is essential," the Pope continued. "Only thus can
we stand firm in these times and proclaim within them the reason for our faith. "And
it is essential that we study critically -- because we know that tomorrow someone
else will have something else to say -- while being alert, open and humble as we study,
so that our studying is always with the Lord, before the Lord, and for him."