"RESPOND GENEROUSLY"

The fruitfulness of our efforts to promote vocations depends primarily on God's free action, yet ... it is also helped by the quality and depth of the personal and communal witness of those who have already answered the Lord's call to the ministerial priesthood and the consecrated life for their witness is then able to awaken in others a desire to respond generously to Christ's call.

PRAYER AND VOCATIONS

Prayer is the first form of witness which awakens vocations.

COMPLETE GIFT TO GOD

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.

LOVE AND COMMUNION

The Second Vatican Council, in speaking of the witness that awakens vocations, emphasizes the example of charity and of fraternal cooperation that priests must offer...

"PRECIOUS LEGACY"

It can be said that priestly vocations are born of contact with priests, as a sort of precious legacy handed down by word, example and a whole way of life. The same can be said with regard to the consecrated life.

"THE JOY OF SERVING CHRIST"

Every priest, every consecrated person, faithful to his or her vocation, radiates the joy of serving Christ and draws all Christians to respond to the universal call to holiness.

"ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE"

Personal witness, in the form of concrete existential choices, will encourage young people... to make demanding decisions concerning their future. Those who would assist them need to have the skills for encounter and dialogue which are capable of enlightening and accompanying them, above all through the example of life lived as a vocation.

MARY AND VOCATIONS

May the Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, watch over each tiny seed of vocation in the hearts of those whom the Lord calls to follow Him more closely, may she help it to grow into a mature tree, bearing much good fruit for the Church and for all humanity.

(Source: Message for World Day of Prayer for Vocations [4/25/2010], issued 11/13/ 2009)