Vatican City – Chapel “Redemptoris Mater”, October 31, 1993
“It is precisely the deepening of the spiritual life, through the acceptance of ‘evangelical radicalism,’ that provides the most fertile ground for a vocation to emerge.” John Paul II made this statement in the homily he delivered on Sunday, October 31, during Mass celebrated by the community of the Roman seminary “Redemptoris Mater.”
“Praise be to Jesus Christ!
1. Venerable brothers in the episcopate and in the priesthood, brothers and sisters all!
“We were gentle with you, just as a mother tenderly cares for her children” (1 Thess 2:7): these are the words of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians. Every priest should be able to make these words of Saint Paul, which we have just heard, his own. The maternal image he attributes to himself is, in fact, one of the most evocative ways to express the beauty of the priestly vocation. It not only indicates a rare intensity of affection and self-giving, but also suggests the intimate connection that exists between the apostolic ministry and the ministry of “new birth” in Christ through the Holy Spirit (cf. Jn 3:5–8). The mother who cares for her children, the mother who nourishes them. As the bearer of the “divine word of preaching,” the apostle feels himself to be an instrument of this spiritual rebirth; he feels like a mother. He embodies for his brothers “the motherhood” of the Church. Having been called to bring them into being in Christ through the Gospel (cf. 1 Cor 4:15), he rightly feels, with regard to them, not only a father but also a mother—“father” and “mother”—willing not only to give them the Gospel but “his very life” for them… (cf. 1 Thess 2:8).
2. What a difference between this image of the apostolate and the one that appears in the other two readings, accompanied by sharp and severe warnings! Those warnings are directed at the priests of the Old Covenant, the scribes, and the Pharisees, pointing out the dangers of straying from the path that are always lurking in our ministry as well. “You have strayed from the right path; you have caused many to stumble with your teaching” (Mal 2:8).
3. The Word of God thus presents to us, on the one hand, the authentic model of the apostolic and priestly vocation, and on the other, its possible degenerations. The Word of God in this liturgy is particularly fitting for this gathering with you, “Redemptoris Mater”—administrators and students, members of the Roman seminary that bears the same name as this chapel: “Redemptoris Mater.” This reminds us so much of the Redemption; it reminds us of “Redemptoris Hominis,” “Redemptoris Mater,” “Redemptoris Custos,” and also “Redemptoris Missio”—all within the same context. I therefore greet the seminarians and superiors of “Redemptoris Mater” in this chapel dedicated to the Redemptoris Mater. I greet the Cardinal Vicar of Rome, Camilo Ruini, who in a certain sense is the primary leader of your seminary, since—distinguished by its missionary purpose—it is established as a seminary of the Diocese of Rome and indeed is one. I greet your rector, Monsignor Julio Salimei, and your spiritual director, Monsignor Maximino Romero de Lema, and I thank both of you for having taken on these important tasks in the education at “Redemptoris Mater,” after so many years of service in the Roman Curia and in the Vicariate of Rome. I greet all of you, my dearest seminarians; I greet each of you individually, seeing in you future priests who have already made a choice and are preparing for the priesthood of Christ. It is significant and important that you have discovered your priestly vocation by following the Neocatechumenal Way and are now continuing your formation journey by adhering, as is necessary, to the guidelines the Church provides for all candidates for the priesthood. The goal toward which you are striving is a deep rootedness in Christ, accompanied by total and heartfelt adherence to the Church. This is the indispensable foundation of authentic priestly formation and also the guarantee of God’s blessing on this priestly and Neocatechumenal journey—Neocatechumenal and missionary; apostolic and missionary.
So I am glad to know that, as yours, many other vocations are flourishing on the path of your spirituality, the Neocatechumenal Way, not only here in Rome, but also in various places, in various countries of Europe and the whole world. It is precisely the deepening of spiritual life, in this Camino, the one she finds, in the acceptance of “evengelical radicalism”, a more fertile ground to raise a vocation. God does not stop calling, but only deep intimacy with Christ allows to listen to the voice, accept it promptly and follow it with perseverance.
4. You cannot be “generators” of faith if you have not previously been “begotten” by faith. Paul could announce Christ, because he could also say in all truth: “It is not I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal 2:20). Thus he could announce Christ, for he had been previously begotten by Christ, converted by Christ, permeated by Christ. At that time, he did not claim an improper title, like the one that today’s Gospel forbids, when he felt and called himself “father” of his communities, because his fatherhood was nothing other than the transparent manifestation of the one of God. And, at the same time, he called herself “mother”, moreover, she gave a certain priority to apostolic motherhood, which was his own, with respect to those communities. Indeed, the mystery of the priesthood is to be seen in its intimate connection with the mystery of Christ. It is up to the whole Church to make Christ, in some way, “visible”, present in the history of men, but it is primarily the responsibility of the priest, the priest, called to act “in persona Christi”, called to represent him as “Shepherd” and “head” of his people, his flock, his community. The priest must be a conquered person, “reached” by Christ (cf. Phil 3, 12). A truly “great” ministry, but with a greatness characterized by the humility of service: “The greatest among you is your servant.” (cf. Mt 23, 11), thus says Jesus.
5. I greet you, once again, in this chapel “Redemptoris Mater”, I am so glad to be able to celebrate with you this Eucharist that I offer to the Lord for your perseverance. May God help you to walk on the paths of holiness, of joy, towards all the peoples to which His Providence will guide you. How good that the Cardinal Vicar has left us this Sunday free! I don’t have to visit any parish in Rome! Next to the Roman seminary is the “Redemptoris Mater”, it was worth finding this free Sunday!
I wish you the presence, the support of Mary, Most Holy Mother of the Redeemer. Entrusting yourselves to her, to her motherhood you will really feel “calm and serene”, like “children in her mother’s arms” (the words of today’s responsorial psalm). May Mary obtain for you the ardor of the Apostle Paul for the Kingdom of God, with total fidelity and obedience to the Church, to the Church that is also Mother, as the whole tradition teaches us, Vatican II: the Church is also Mother , in imitation of the Mother of Christ. This Church begets you, has engendered you to faith and in this Church you have been called to be priests, to serve until the end of your life. So be it”.