"The Church is missionary as a whole and in each one of its members. If because of the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, every Christian is called to witness and to announce the Gospel, the missionary aspect is specially and intimately bound with the priestly vocation. In the covenant with Israel, God entrusted to certain chosen men, called by him and sent to the people in his name, the mission to be prophets and priests. . . .

There have always been in the Church many men and women who, inspired by the action of the Holy Spirit, choose to live the Gospel in a radical way, professing the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. This multitude of religious men and women, belonging to innumerable Institutes of contemplative and active life, plays "the main role in the evangelisation of the world" (Decree Ad gentes, 40). With their continual prayer and their prayer in community, the religious of contemplative life intercede incessantly for all humanity; those religious of active life, with their various charitable activities, bring to all their lively witness of the love and mercy of God."
       – Pope Benedict XVI (Message of the Holy Father for the 45th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, From the Vatican, December 3, 2007, 1 & 6)