Letter from the Pope about the greatness and current state of priestly vocation.

Madrid, October 2010.– Benedict XVI has just published a message to all seminarians world wide that highlights the need for priests in all ages throughout history. The letter begins with his personal testimony:

“When in December 1944 I was drafted for military service, the company commander asked each of us what we planned to do in the future. I answered that I wanted to become a Catholic priest. The lieutenant replied: “Then you ought to look for something else. In the new Germany priests are no longer needed”. I knew that this “new Germany” was already coming to an end, and that, after the enormous devastation which that madness had brought upon the country, priests would be needed more than ever.”

“In different ways, though, many people nowadays also think that the Catholic priesthood is not a “job” for the future, but one that belongs more to the past. Because people will always have need of God, even in an age marked by technical mastery of the world and globalization: they will always need the God. Where people no longer perceive God, life grows empty; nothing is ever enough. People then seek escape in euphoria and violence; these are the very things that increasingly threaten young people.”

What is the mission of a priest? Will it be worth the trouble?
“The priest is not the leader of a sort of association whose membership he tries to maintain and expand. He is God’s messenger to his people. For us God is not some abstract hypothesis; he is not some stranger who left the scene after the “big bang”. God is alive, and he needs men who will live for Him and bring his message to others.

“Recently we have seen with great dismay that some priests disfigured their ministry. As a result of all this, many people, perhaps even some of you, might ask whether it is good to become a priest. Yet even the most reprehensible abuse cannot discredit the priestly mission, which remains great and pure. Thank God, all of us know exemplary priests, men shaped by their faith, who bear witness that one can attain to an authentic, pure and mature humanity in this state and specifically in the life of celibacy.”

The Pope conclused saying: “With these few lines I have wanted to let you know how often I think of you, especially in these difficult times. As long as the world is turning, we need priests and pastors - today, tomorrow, and always.”

LETTER OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI TO SEMINARIANS