Pope Leo XIV has urged seminarians not to think of themselves as “alone” or “by yourselves” as they progress in their formations.
In his meeting with the potential future priests, Pope Leo also said that celibacy is a charism “to be acknowledged, conserved and educated”.
The pontiff spoke on Wednesday, 26 June, to a group seminarians from dioceses in the Italian region Triveneto. In his discourse, the Pope referenced Saint Augustine and his reflections in his great work Confessions.
“On the one hand he was eager to decide for Christ; on the other, he was held back by scruples and temptations. Profoundly troubled, one day he retreated to reflect in the garden at home; and the personification of the virtue of Continence appeared to him, saying: ‘Why do you stand in your own strength, and so standest not? Cast yourself upon Him; fear not, He will not withdraw that you should fall; cast yourself upon Him without fear, He will receive you, and heal you’,” Leo said.
