POSPA: The Pontifical Society of Saint Peter the Apostle at the V COMINSE, the National Missionary Congress of Seminarians

"On behalf of this Dicastery, we come to tell you, seminarians, that the universal Church loves you, that she appreciates your courageous enthusiasm, your resolute 'yes' to the Lord's call, despite the many tempting solicitations offered by the world." This is how Father Alessandro Brandi, an official of the Pontifical Society of Saint Peter the Apostle (POSPA), greeted and thanked the more than 240 participants in the fifth edition of the National Missionary Congress of Seminarians (COMINSE) on the morning of Wednesday, July 23. The congress, which opened last Monday and will continue until Saturday, July 26, is promoted by the Pontifical Mission Societies of Brazil, through the Pontifical Missionary Union and the Missionary Council of Seminarians (COMISE), in collaboration with the Brazilian Episcopal Conference and the Archdiocese of Teresina, which not only hosts the event but is also the site where the Missionary Council of Seminarians began.
The congress program includes lectures, workshops, moments of spirituality, and the sharing of missionary experiences. It is part of the Jubilee of Hope and this year also celebrates the fortieth anniversary of the founding of COMISE. The central theme of the congress is "Missionary Disciples of Hope" and the motto is "Rejoice in hope, persevere in tribulation, and devote yourself to prayer" (Rom 12:12). 
During the first two days, the congress focused on the birth and development of the Missionary Council of Seminarians and the important role it plays in the missionary formation of those preparing to become priests.
"Why is it possible to be a missionary priest of hope today?" This was the central question addressed by Father Brandi, present at the congress on behalf of the Pontifical Society of Saint Peter the Apostle, which responsible for the formation of the clergy on behalf of the Dicastery for Evangelization. The mission entrusted to the Church by Christ, Father Alessandro emphasized, is neither temporary nor limited to a specific era, but is valid until the end of time. "We receive Christ to bring him to others," Father Brandi explained, "and every priest is a universal disciple." Even if their priestly ministry will be limited to a part of the Church, in a diocese, all seminarians are called to have a strong sense of the universal, apostolic, and missionary Church."
The insights and content shared by the seminarians during the Congress were also inspired by a "basic document" written to guide the participants' reflection and focused on the three dimensions—seeing, judging, acting—often cited in attempts to offer guidelines for pastoral work.
Father Brandi also highlighted some essential elements in preparing to be a missionary disciple of hope: willingness to be guided by the Holy Spirit, communion with Christ, a spirit of detachment, unconditional love, and the desire for a holy life. Finally, he introduced the participants to the history and mission of the Pontifical Society of Saint Peter the Apostle and answered their questions. 
Today and tomorrow, work continues on the theme of hope, with an in-depth focus on the centrality of prayer. On Saturday, July 26, the Eucharistic celebration in the cathedral will conclude the fifth edition of the National Congress of Seminarians.