Pope Francis on Thursday said he found the term "ecclesiastical career" disgusting.
"I am disgusted by this term: ecclesiastical career.
"We must scrap it", the pontiff said.
Speaking about Saint Joseph Calasanz who came from a "well-off family, probably destined to an ecclesiastical career", the pontiff recalled that "he did not hesitate to completely change his plans and perspectives in life to devote his life to young people who lived on the streets".
He then urged members of the Order of the Pious Schools he founded to "maintain, in your choices, the same openness and promptness, without too many calculations, beating fears and hesitations, especially in front of the many new poverties of our days".
The pontiff met members of the Calasanzian Family at the Vatican as the congregation celebrates its 75th anniversary on the eve of the Jubilee Year.
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