Below we publish the text of the Pope’s Video with the prayer intention for February – distributed through the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network – on the theme For vocations to the priestly and religious life: We pray that the ecclesial community will welcome the desires and doubts of young people who feel called to serve the mission of Christ in the priestly and religious life.

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Text of the Holy Father’s Video

When I was 17, I was a student and working, and I had my plans. I had no idea at all about being a priest. But one day I entered the parish… And there was God, waiting for me!

God continues to call young people today, sometimes in ways we cannot imagine. Sometimes we do not hear him because we are too busy with our things, our projects, and even our Church things.

But the Holy Spirit also speaks to us through dreams and through the concerns that young people feel in their hearts. If we follow their journey, we will see how God does new things with them. And we will be able to accept their call in ways that better serve the Church and the world today.

Let us trust in young people! And, above all, let us trust in God: because He calls each one!

Let us pray that the ecclesial community will welcome the desires and doubts of young people who feel the call to live the mission of Jesus in life: whether it be priestly life or religious life.