VATICAN CITY, February 16, 2010--Pope Benedict released his message for the 47th World Day of Prayer for Vocations on Tuesday. The message, written on the theme "Witness Awakens Vocations," speaks of the great importance of the witness of priests and religious for encouraging future vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

Fidelity to one's own vocation to religious or consecrated life is the key to helping youth respond with generosity to Christ's call, Benedict XVI wrote in his message for vocation prayer day.

Different religious congregations and groups participated a seminar on vocations promotion organized by the Episcopal Commission on Vocation (ECV) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines and the Directors of Vocations in the Philippines (DVP).