"The quality of the clergy depends on the reliability of its training": said Benedict XVI today, during his speech addressed to the Rector, the teachers and the students of the Almo Collegio Capranica, in Rome, whom he received in hearing just before the Feast of the patroness, St. Agnese. As for the training style decided by Cardinal Capranica, at the establishment of the College in 1457, Benedict XVI talked about "integral training, concentrating on the spiritual dimension, whose pilasters were the Sacraments of Eucharist (daily), and Penitence (at least monthly)", adding that "a remarkable training contribution was made by the very community style, characterized by significant mutual participation in the decisions concerning the life of the College". Then, the Pope pointed out that the example of the Collegio Capranica was followed by "the diocesan Seminars, with a more complete sense of belonging to the particular Church", relying on "a serious human, cultural and spiritual training, ready to meet the needs that are typical of different times and places". The College is situated in the heart of historical Rome, near the Pantheon. During its long life, it has trained thousands of presbyters, staying closed just from 1798 to 1807 during the "Republic of Rome".
