Cardinal Cupich, Chancellor of Mundelein Seminary, addressed our seminarians regarding the necessity to use creativity and imagination in their future ministry. Interestingly, the Cardinal highlighted the importance of history in fostering ingenuity.
Our future priests will face new challenges in secularism not seen by the Church since its very beginning. The Cardinal impressed the importance of studying the past in order to have the resources to be creative in the future and avoid embracing change simply for the sake of change. In addition, he spoke of avoiding the temptation to absolutize one moment in Church history, but rather embrace the entirety of tradition.
The creativity and imagination that will be necessary for the ministry of our seminarians must be that which is organically developed through the dialogue with our parishioners, the understanding of our past, and anticipating our needs in the future. It must go beyond serving the saved to include embracing the sinners where they are and accompanying them into the arms of our merciful Father.
The address concluded with the Cardinal addressing seminarians’ questions about the importance of literature and poetry, discernment among the youth in their communities, and the upcoming synod on youth and vocations.
Thank you, Cardinal Cupich, for speaking with our community today. It is always a blessing to have you with us.
