Pope reminds seminarians, novices of their mission of joy, mercy and prayer

08 July, 2013 - Pope Francis celebrated Mass for hundreds of seminarians, novices, consecrated lay persons and clergy in Rome’s St. Peter's Basilica Sunday, reminding them of the Christian mission of joy, the Cross and prayer. Some 6,000 young men and women from across the globe concluded a four-day pilgrimage to Rome, an event to commemorate the current Year of Faith. In his homily at Mass the Pope said the religious are called to bring comfort to others, and “to bear witness to the mercy and tenderness of the Lord, which warms the heart, rekindles hope, and attracts people towards the good.” Explaining the Cross, the Pope said it is a symbol of suffering, weakness and defeat, but also of joy and consolation, that shelters us from a worldly and triumphalistic view of mission and from the discouragement that can result from trials and failures.” Talking about prayer, Pope Francis noted that workers for the harvest are not recruited through advertising campaigns or appeals for service and generosity, but they are ‘chosen’ and ‘sent’ by God. Hence evangelization is done on one’s knees and requires a constant relationship with God so that this mission is not seen merely as one’s job. Pope Francis called the young people to “cultivate the contemplative dimension, even amid the whirlwind of more urgent and pressing duties.” And the farther their mission takes them, “let your heart be the more closely united to Christ’s heart, full of mercy and love.” “What counts,” he said, “is to be permeated by the love of Christ.”