If you don’t have a relationship with Our Lord, and are not responding to what you believe to be His call, it will be a dry life. It's important that a priest have common sense. It's important he know how to relate to people, to be able to socialize and engage in their lives. People need to know that their priests care about them, and are willing to help them. We’re all in this life together, and if we live out our faith, it will end well for us all in eternal life. The priesthood is not an easy life, but if it is something God is calling you to, he'll give you the grace to live out your vocation well.

Priests are required to present God’s blessing, as well as reinforce and support people's morals vis-à-vis the challenges and obstacles of their daily life. Priests have a duty to offer moral assistance, not only to our common friends, Catholics, but also to ordinary citizens, Indonesians.

The vocation to serve as a priest is a commitment that must be embraced with love and perseverance in the midst of challenges. Love, perseverance and humility are among the basic conditions for success in the priestly ministry. Anyone who is called to serve as a priest should be accompanied in a solid and spiritual journey and sustained in his formation, with the aim of obtaining a positive result in the Church.

You can't give to the people all that you wish to offer unless you're rooted in a deep spiritual life. I was on fire as a young priest, and wanted to conquer the world, which was good, because the priesthood is about service. However, I learned quickly that that enthusiasm must be rooted in a deep prayer life, or it can’t be sustained. It was a great lesson to learn early in my priesthood. I also learned I needed to stay in touch with my priest friends. It's important to have family and lay friends, but you also need contact with your brother priests, who understand from firsthand experience the challenges you face and can help you to become better.

We are very proud of our priests. Of course we would need more of them. Most priests have more than one parish to care for but they are very dedicated and zealous. Our priests are poor and a life of poverty is a good means of witness.

For us as priests, I think it makes it easier because, no matter where we go, we find something of the Church. People recognize the role of the priest. You enter into that immediately. I think it's different from the civil diplomats.

Closeness to God, first in prayer. Be faithful to that. Closeness to our priests, being close to them. Not being a brother, but being a father, and accompany them in their ministry. Being close to the people of God, whom we serve. It's something that since becoming a bishop, as a priest I was doing.

Priests must be clearly aware of their identity and they need new enthusiasm for their mission. Facing tasks that have become even more difficult and more involved, many priests maintain that too much is expected of them; they get discouraged and give up. They need companions on their journey who help them and instill them with courage and can accompany them. The awareness that he who truly acts in the pastoral programme is Christ who frees from worries.

Taking the time to get to know those you are called to serve, both the priests as well as the people, make sure that they know that you love them and you are there to serve them and be with them.

I always tell young people discerning vocations that, if it is your call, you can expect to enter into a life that is full of joy and serenity of spirit, that the faithful will invite a priest to enter into their lives at a depth that sometimes they won’t even permit their own spouses. That’s not because we have any particular talent; it’s because Catholics look at priests as bringing into their lives the love of Christ and the Church, which will lead them home to a place in heaven.

The faithful should take spiritual care of the priests (not only the priests of the faithful); the priest should give his all in trying to be a good priest, with the help of the Lord and everyone; the priest should also be a good pastor.

There's no boasting that can happen in the Lord's vineyard. So sometimes young people look at a priest and say, "Oh, he must be an angel." No, we're no angels — angels are only in heaven. We're men doing the very best we can to serve God and to serve His holy people and to fall in love with God and with the people. If you really hear the call of the Lord, be generous because it's a wonderful life. After 34 years as a priest, I can really and honestly say I have no regrets.

When one is ordained it is not for oneself but for the service of a people. When one loves people, when one is loved by Christ, becoming a priest is a beautiful route to take.

The presence of a priest, even though it is small, at the parish, among the people, has very much significance. His presence in his place is considerable, there is a moral certainty for the parishioners that their spiritual father is here. He is the base of the community; one can turn to him in all needs. He tries, he thinks about the people, prays for them, and this is very deeply rooted in the people.