Pope’s 5-word bit of advice for US seminarians

Pope Francis has a brief but profound message for US seminarians, which he offered after praying the midday Angelus on August 25.

“In particular, I greet the new seminarians of the North American College and I wish them a good formative journey,” the Pope said in the traditional greetings to various groups that characterize his Sunday address to the faithful.

The North American College overlooks St. Peter’s, and is a place where seminarians from the United States and Australia can do part of their formation.

In 1884, the North American College was granted pontifical status, meaning it is under the care of the Apostolic See and the pope.

While the Pope’s start-of-the-school-year greetings were brief, they contained a whole program of formation and priesthood, in five simple words:

“I also wish them to live their priesthood with joy, because true prayer gives us joy.”

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