This May, Pope Francis has invited the faithful to offer prayers for "the formation of men and women religious, and seminarians", reports Vatican News.

In his video announcing his Prayer intention for the month of May, Pope Francis recalls that every vocation is a “diamond in the rough” that needs to be polished, worked, and shaped on every side.

The Holy Father notes that "a good priest, sister, or nun, must above all else be a man, a woman who is formed, shaped by the Lord’s grace".

These are people who are aware of their own limitations and who are willing to "lead a life of prayer, of dedicated witness to the Gospel".

In his message entrusted to the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, the Pope reminds us that beginning in the seminary or novitiate, their preparation must develop integrally in direct contact with the lives of other people. This, he added, "is essential".

It is important to note that formation does not end at a specific moment, such as ordination, but rather continues throughout life, integrating the person intellectually, humanly, affectively, and spiritually.

Preparation continues into that of living in a community.

"Life in community is so enriching, even though it can be difficult at times".

"Living together is not the same as living in community", adds the Pope.

Finally, Pope Francis asks that we pray that "men and women religious, and seminarians, grow in their own vocational journey through human, pastoral, spiritual, and community formation, that leads them to be credible witnesses of the Gospel".

This article was published in Vatican News.