I am often asked, especially by young people, why I became a Priest. Maybe some of you would like to ask the same question. Let me try briefly to reply. I must begin by saying that it is impossible to explain entirely. For it remains a mystery, even to myself. How does one explain the ways of God? Yet, I know that, at a certain point in my life, I became convinced that Christ was saying to me what he has said to thousands before me: "Come, follow me!" There was a clear sense that what I heard in my heart was no human voice, nor was it just an idea of my own. Christ was calling me to serve him as a Priest.

And you can probably tell that I am deeply grateful to God for my vocation to the Priesthood. Nothing means more to me or gives me greater joy than to celebrate Mass each day and to serve God's people in the Church. That has been true since the day of my ordination as a Priest. Nothing has ever changed, not even becoming Pope.

Pope John Paul II

Here you will find some of the most commonly asked questions about diocesan priesthood. We hope you will find the information useful in the way that we have presented it. Contact us if your question is not answered here.

The FAQ is also available in booklet form. To request your copy email the National Vocations Service. For further reading material please see the documents section on our links page.