In this episode of The Priesthood, Fr. David Howell, diocesan priest from Southwark, England, introduces us to St. John Henry Newman's thoughts on why God chose men to be His priests. "We are not necessary for His plan, but He chooses us to help people come closer to Him through sinners like themselves". For Fr. David, it is a great consolation to see how Christ chooses his priests, not in spite of the fact that they are sinners, but because of it. This leads the priest to remember that his mission is to help the laity to sanctify themselves in everything they do, and thus to help them with his counsel in the experience of becoming saints. Christ calls his elect to be like him: the Good Shepherd.