ADDRESS OF PAUL VI TO THE PRIESTS OF THE
INSTITUTE FOR CONTINUING THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION
AT THE NORTH AMERICAN COLLEGE

Friday, 2 June 1972

To all of you who make up the Institute for Continuing Theological Education at the North American College we extend a special and affectionate greeting of grace and peace in the Lord.

These months that you are spending in Rome are indeed important ones. They are important for you and for God’s people on behalf of whom, like Christ, you have dedicated your lives.

Through your study and fraternal exchanges, through your prayer and increased openness to God’s Word you are able to perceive more clearly the nature of Christ’s Church and his priesthood. And you are thus enabled to render an ever more committed and effective service in his name.

Our prayer for you today is that it may indeed be so. With the Apostle Peter we say to you: "Go on growing in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Petr. 3, 18). And with the Apostle Paul we pray that the Lord will give you much joy and make your hearts strong so that you will "never grow tired of doing what is right" (2 Thess. 3, 13). In the name of Jesus we bless you and invoke upon you the grace of living and communicating his surpassing love.