The pope made an appeal to pray to the "Father of the Mass" and to bear witness to young people about the greatness and beauty of priestly vocations. This was the topic of John Paul II's 2004 Letter to Priests written for this Holy Thursday.
In a message full of joy and affection the pope recalled that the Last Supper, when Jesus instituted the Eucharistic liturgy and the priesthood before dying. He says this marked the first time men were called to the priesthood throughout the world.
The pope stressed that "the Eucharist like the Priesthood" is a "gift from God which radically goes above the power of gathering together" (n.4). He said so in order to correct the "democratic" deviations in the priestly ministry as well to make people aware of the urgent need to "incessantly implore" God's help so that "he sends us men to serve his Masses". "There are parts of today's world in which there are few clergy. In other parts "there is a promising springtime for vocations" (n.4).
The pope recalled that "prior to any other vocational initiative, it is indispensable to have personal faith" (n.5) To increase vocations, he tells priests that "your witness counts more that any other means or aid." (n.6)
At the mass the pontiff says that young people, particularly "altar servers", "see reflected on your (a priest's) face its mystery and in your heart they sense the summons of a greater love. May you be for them fathers, teachers and witnesses of Eucharistic piety and holiness of life! (n. 6).
The letter's last thoughts are turned to Mary, "the Mother of priests". The pope asks her to protect ministers from making "the mystery placed in your hands" a routine habit (n. 8).
To read the original unedited letter go to:
LETTER OF THE POPE JOHN PAUL II TO PRIESTS FOR HOLY THURSDAY 2004