Annual day of prayer for priests: Why it's so essential

(Vatican Radio) Friday June 7th is the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of the Priesthood and is observed each year on the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Author of two books, Father Jeffrey Kirby is Director of Vocations in the diocese of Charleston, South Carolina. He told Susy Hodges that he views this annual day of prayer for priests as a vital event, especially during the current Year of Faith.

Listen to the extended interview with Father Kirby:

"This call for the sanctification of priests," says Father Kirby "is essential for the life of the Church." He goes on to explain that this is the case not just in regards to the priesthood itself but because "the holiness and closeness to God (of priests) is intimately connected to their ability to help other people encounter God." Father Kirby says this Day of Prayer and call for the Sanctification of the Priesthood is also "a sign of this year's Year of Faith and of Pope Francis' love for the Church."

In his post as Director of Vocations, Father Kirby makes extensive use of social media in reaching out to potential candidates to the priesthood. "The use of social media is dynamic and has to be part of the New Evangelisation," he says. He talks of the "extremely beneficial" result of using this approach when engaging with the younger generation.

Father Kirby is also the author of two children's books that both "focus on discernment to the priesthood and religious life, especially for younger children." Describing it as "a fun project," he says he was surprised to find that there were no books of that genre written for children in the 9 - 12 age bracket and that's why he and his co-author embarked on the project. "It's an innovative way of teaching the faith to young children," he says.