Bishop of Urgell Welcomes Catalan Seminarians for Training Visit to Andorra Parishes

The Bishop of Urgell and Episcopal Co-Prince of Andorra, Josep-Lluís Serrano Pentinat, welcomed a group of first-year propaedeutic seminarians from across Catalonia to the diocese for a training visit exploring various church realities.

The young trainees toured sites including La Seu d'Urgell and parishes in the Principat d'Andorra, such as Andorra la Vella. There, they joined a eucharistic celebration and the launch of the book *Els escrits de Sant Just. Segle VI*.

Seminari Diocesà de Urgell rector Gabriel Casanovas explained that the outings give seminarians firsthand insight into parish operations and Christian communities. He called it a rewarding experience, allowing them to observe local people, daily parish activities, and active faith practices.

Casanovas described church efforts as persistent and methodical, likening them to an ant's work, yet noted clear recovery signals after years of downturn. Parishes now show more vitality and a growing youth involvement, though this varies by location. He linked the shift to young people's quest for deeper meaning amid materialistic emptiness. "Life feels very material but somewhat hollow to them, sparking a broad search for purpose," he said. For some, Christian faith provides answers and even leads to vocations.

Welcoming, diverse parish communities play a vital role in drawing in youth, Casanovas stressed, alongside efforts to bridge tradition with contemporary life so ancient messages resonate today. "Where life is evident, young people connect," he added.

Serrano Pentinat highlighted spirituality's gradual resurgence in an era of uncertainty, drawing parallels to the first millennium's Christian spread, Carolingian reforms, and religious frontiers with Al-Andalus. "We've jumped from the first to the third millennium, but many aspects feel strikingly similar," he observed. Echoing Urgell's first recorded bishop, Sant Just, he urged renewed missionary commitment as affection for the Church returns.