By Father Peter Choy Wai-man
On August 4, 2023, Pope Francis issued a letter titled “The Role of Literature in Formation”, in which he praised the value of reading novels and poetry, considering it an indispensable tool for personal and spiritual growth for every Christian.
He criticised the current lack of emphasis on literature in seminary training, arguing that neglecting the cultivation of literary appreciation leads to emotional and spiritual impoverishment. This deprivation denies seminary students the opportunity to engage with the core of human culture.
Particularly in today’s digital age, where young people focus their learning and growth on screens, they gradually lose touch with the surrounding world and real-life experiences. Therefore, Pope Francis proposed a fundamental change: integrating literature as a vital component of priestly formation.
Pope Francis referenced the Second Vatican Council, which stated that literature “[reveals] man’s place in history and in the world; with illustrating the miseries and joys, the needs and strengths of man and with foreshadowing a better life for him” [Gaudium et Spes: Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, 62]. Neglecting literature, therefore, means missing the chance to understand and engage with various cultures and their most profound expressions.
Furthermore, the pope drew attention to the current religious phenomenon, which is characterised by a return to the sacred and unclear spiritual pursuits. In response to this inner yearning, the Church must proclaim a Christ who is both human and divine, who entered history through the Incarnation. Literature, Pope Francis argued, can help future priests develop a sensitivity to the full humanity of Jesus, enabling them to evangelise in ways that genuinely resonate with people’s concrete lives.
Reading literature equips individuals with the ability to “see through others’ eyes,” to broaden our humanity and develop empathy. Literature allows us to identify with others’ experiences, fostering solidarity, compassion, and mercy. This process makes us more attuned to others’ joys and sorrows and helps us better understand their lives and aspirations. Thus, reading literature becomes an experience of personal growth and shared humanity.
Pope Francis concluded by affirming that literature reveals the depths of the human soul and aids clergy in engaging in meaningful dialogue with contemporary culture. Literature serves as a bridge to enable future priests to sensitively appreciate the full humanity of Jesus and effectively promote the gospel, creating genuine resonance in people’s hearts.
The pope’s letter invites a renewed appreciation of the spiritual power of literature in the formation of clergy. For missionaries of religious orders, this means embracing literature as a tool for personal and pastoral growth, allowing them to better understand and accompany humanity in its search for meaning and redemption. Therefore, literature becomes an indispensable companion for every missionary, enriching their vocation and service.
