Pope: priests witness helps to inspire vocations

That is why the message refers to three aspects of the life of the priest, which are "essential for effective priestly witness." " A fundamental element, one which can be seen in every vocation to the priesthood and the consecrated life, is friendship with Christ.  Jesus lived in constant union with the Father and this is what made the disciples eager to have the same experience; from him they learned to live in communion and unceasing dialogue with God.  If the priest is a “man of God”, one who belongs to God and helps others to know and love him, he cannot fail to cultivate a deep intimacy with God, abiding in his love and making space to hear his Word.  Prayer is the first form of witness which awakens vocations. "

Another aspect of the consecration of the priesthood and religious life is "the complete gift of self to God."  It means “to enter into the very mind of Jesus who in his entire life did the will of the Father, even to the ultimate gift of himself on the Cross.  Here, the mercy of God is shown in all its fullness; a merciful love that has overcome the darkness of evil, sin and death”.  The figure of Jesus who at the Last Supper, washes the feet of the Apostles, “expresses the sense of service and gift manifested in his entire existence, in obedience to the will of the Father (cf. Jn 13:3-15).  In following Jesus, everyone called to a life of special consecration must do his utmost to testify that he has given himself completely to God”.  “The story of every vocation is almost always intertwined with the testimony of a priest who joyfully lives the gift of himself to his brothers and sisters for the sake of the Kingdom of God.  This is because the presence and words of a priest have the ability to raise questions and to lead even to definitive decisions (cf. John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Pastores Dabo Vobis, 39).

"A third aspect which necessarily characterizes the priest and the consecrated person is a life of communion". " In a particular way the priest must be a man of communion, open to all, capable of gathering into one the pilgrim flock which the goodness of the Lord has entrusted to him, helping to overcome divisions, to heal rifts, to settle conflicts and misunderstandings, and to forgive offences.  In July 2005, speaking to the clergy of Aosta, I noted that if young people see priests who appear distant and sad, they will hardly feel encouraged to follow their example.  They will remain hesitant if they are led to think that this is the life of a priest.  Instead, they need to see the example of a communion of life which can reveal to them the beauty of being a priest.  Only then will a young man say, “Yes, this could be my future; I can live like this” (Insegnamenti I, [2005], 354).