The Cardinal Prefect to the Priests and Seminarians of CNBB’s South 3 Region: “Renew your ‘yes’ to the Lord every day”

On September 8, 2025, the 2nd Pilgrimage of Bishops, Priests, and Seminarians from the South 3 Region of the Brazilian Episcopal Conference (CNBB) took place. The event brought together clergy and seminarians from the 18 dioceses of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, accompanied by their bishops and with significant participation from the faithful. The pilgrimage drew approximately 40,000 people.

Following the city of Santa Maria, which hosted the first pilgrimage in 2023, the chosen location was São Domingos do Sul, within the territory of the Archdiocese of Passo Fundo. The choice held special meaning: it was in the parish of São Domingos do Sul that diocesan priest Monsignor João Benvegnù—whose diocesan phase of the beatification process was recently concluded—dedicated 51 years of his life, leaving a legacy of faith, social commitment, and vocational promotion.

According to the official website of CNBB’s Southern Region 3, “The gathering was marked by a spirit of deep ecclesial communion and synodality, strengthening the experience of faith and the joy of being a living Church in the hearts of the people of Rio Grande do Sul.”

The Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung sik, sent a message encouraging participants to live this event as an opportunity to rekindle hope and renew the gift of vocation, precisely on the feast of the Nativity of Mary, “a model of listening and faith.”

The Prefect emphasized that the priestly vocation does not end with ordination: “The grace of the priesthood must be cultivated, deepened, and renewed through prayer, daily Eucharist, meditation, ongoing formation, and fraternity.” He recalled the words of Pope Leo XIV, who calls priests to be builders of unity and peace, capable of discernment and accompaniment, “bridges” that lead to God.

To the seminarians, he urged them to live this time as a “school of the affections,” learning to guard the heart, face fragilities, and grow in prayer and silence to recognize the voice of God.

Cardinal Lazzaro also recalled the witness of the Servant of God Monsignor João Benvegnù, “a model pastor and formator,” and invited all to walk together in a synodal spirit, supporting one another and living the mission as a gift of self for others.

The message concluded with an entrustment to Our Lady of Aparecida and a blessing to the participants and their bishops: “Ongoing formation and fraternal accompaniment are the path to remain joyful disciples, happy priests, and credible witnesses of Christian hope.”