In his encyclical letter issued in June 2009 proclaiming a Year for Priests, our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, speaks about the special reality and function of the priest. The Pope tells us that the priest today is "to embody Christ's presence and to bear witness to his saving mercy" so that the priest "continues the work of redemption on earth."

The sacramental priesthood is truly a gift for the Church that comes from Christ himself, from the very fullness of his own priesthood. It is in this realization that we rejoice with our newly ordained priests, their families, friends and the whole Church of Washington.

This is also a time to extend once again an invitation to young men throughout this area: Ask if God might be calling you to manifest your love for Christ by a commitment to him as a priest of his Church. While we are all called to holiness, some are called to serve the Church as priests. That call goes out every day. This we know because Christ himself told us that he recognizes that "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few" (Matthew 9:37). Perhaps someone you know or even yourself might be one of those called to labor - as a priest - in the harvest of souls.

Most Reverend Donald W. Wuerl
Archbishop of Washington
October 6, 2009

Run for Vocations