Dear brother bishops,
dear formators and seminarians of the Apóstol Santiago Interdiocesan Major Seminary.

Good morning. I welcome all of you, who know well the footsteps of the apostle Saint James in Spain, and now come as pilgrims to Rome, in the footsteps of the apostle Peter and other faithful followers of Jesus. As they say in your homeland, ¡buen camino!

I know that since September you have been living a new modality as an “Interdiocesan” Seminary, uniting the dioceses of Santiago de Compostela, Tui-Vigo and Mondoñedo-Ferrol.

I thank you for your readiness and I encourage you to go forward with renewed strength and hope.

I believe that the image of the “pilgrimage” is appropriate to indicate the formative itinerary that you are undertaking. As pilgrims, we first hear a call, which impels us to go out of ourselves; then, we set out on the adventure and start walking, through different moments and stages. Finally, we arrive at the goal. This also happens in formation for the priesthood, where the aim is to become shepherds of the People of God, shepherds forged according to the measure of the Heart of Christ, humble and merciful. Remember that you are not alone on the journey, this is fundamental: do not be afraid to open your heart to the Lord and allow yourselves to be accompanied by Him, so that He may shape your lives.

Do not forget, moreover, that along the way you will meet many different people, some of whom may be going through difficult times, are wounded or do not know God. Be witnesses of the joy of the Gospel for all of them, give them the Lord’s tenderness and consolation of the Lord so that he may heal their sores along the way. Do not cease to be those “yellow arrows” which, like Saint John the Baptist, point to Jesus and say to everyone, with your words, but also and above all with your way of life: “This is the Lamb of God” (Jn 1:29).

Dear brothers and sisters, the Holy Year 2025 is approaching, with this Jubilee grace that is given to us, let us continue walking together as pilgrims of hope, towards the heavenly homeland.

May Jesus bless you and the Holy Virgin watch over you. And please, when you return, pray for Saint James the Apostle to intercede for me. Thank you very much.

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Holy See Press Office Bulletin, 12 December 2024