WHAT would you say if someone you knew - your son, your brother, a relation or friend came to you and said, "I think that God might be calling me to priesthood?"
Would you support and encourage him? Would you pray for him? What would you advise?
St John Vianney described priesthood as “the love of the heart of Jesus”.
A good priest is therefore someone who, despite his own sins and weaknesses, has a heart that reflects the loving heart of Christ.
A priest is privileged to share with people in some of the happiest moments of their lives, and also to be with them in their saddest and most difficult days.
Today, more than ever, Ireland needs good priests.
What qualities are we looking for in those who come forward?
Above all they should be prayerful, and carry a deep love for God in their hearts. They have to be approachable and thoughtful, humble and reflective; we want good leaders with common sense, who are also effective communicators.
We need young men who are caring listeners, and who can show compassion to those who are sick or struggling in any way.
We want our student priests to be full of vision and hope for the future - the priests of today and tomorrow need to be happy and joyful in themselves - able to convince others that Christ is alive, Christ is our hope.
I believe that there are lots of young men with these qualities, but perhaps, in such a noisy and distracting world, they have not yet been able to hear God calling them.
I want you to join me in finding the priests of the future and helping God to call them.
If you know a young man of strong faith, whose heart is like the heart of Jesus, please encourage him to think about the possibility of priesthood.
Ask him," Have you ever thought that God may be calling you to be a priest?” He may be in your family, your parish or workplace. He may be sitting beside you at school or university, or playing in your sports club.
God is asking you to tap him on the shoulder and gently invite him to serve as a priest for the future.
