'Chosen, don't forget this. Chosen!:' Pope Francis sends amazing message to priests

'The Church is the house of mercy, and it is the soil where vocations take root, mature and bear fruit.'

On the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Francis ordained eleven men into the priesthood at St. Peter's Basilica on Sunday - then had plenty to say on the subject.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - According to Vatican Radio, Pope Francis spoke to the newly appointed priests, saying, "remember your history, the gift of the Word of the Lord given to you by your mothers, your grandmothers - as Saint Paul says - by the catechists and by the whole Church."

His Holiness then asked them "to bear within" themselves "the death of Christ, to walk with Christ in newness of life" and added, "without the Cross you will never find the true Jesus; and a Cross without Jesus makes no sense."

Pope Francis called the priests to be "merciful, so very merciful" and reminded them they have been chosen. "Chosen," the pontiff stated, "don't forget this. Chosen! And the Lord has called you, one by one."

This year's World Day of Prayer for Vocations is the 53rd and falls in the Holy Year of Mercy. According to the Manila Bulletin, Pope Francis emphasized Christian vocation "is a gift of the divine mercy."

The pontiff stated his hopes for more baptisms and more people "rediscover that the Christian vocation, just like every particular vocation, is born from within the people of God, and is a gift of divine mercy."

He continued, explaining that the Church is also a house of mercy, while the soil is where vocations "take root, mature and bear fruit." Pope Francis explained each vocation in the Church originates in the "compassionate gaze of  Jesus" and that "conversion and vocation are two sides of the same coin" that will always remain connected.

His Holiness then called for prayers.

He asked for believers to pray for vocations and to pick up the mantle God has placed at their feet.

"Vocations are born within the Church. Vocations grow within the Church. Vocations are sustained by the Church," Poe Francis described.

All masses that day included the Prayer for Vocations and a Holy Hour for Vocations different Churches and organizations participated in. Mass and intentions were offered for vocations to the priesthood and religious life while Gospel reflections focused on Jesus, the good shepherd, who "laid down His life for His sheep."

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