Question for parents with sons who are priests

[Seeks_God]

I stated “parents” in the Title line, but I would welcome advice or insight from anyone…

I have a 16 year-old son who is well involved in our parish youth group and he has expressed on a few occasions that he wonders if the priesthood is a path he should pursue. He has also expressed at other times that he thinks being a husband and father is what his path in life will be. Although, I think he is dealing with what any young man goes through as they approach adulthood, I would also like to help guide him with his decisions. I consider him a very moral person with outstanding natural abilities at leadership and community involvement, but he lacks discipline in terms of his education (he is extremely intelligent and articulate but HATES homework. He also struggles with “liberal” teachers in his public school). He has been an inspiration to other kids his own age and is very caring about people. He has even been an inspiration to me during times when my spiritual life is running dry.

He fills his mother and I with a lot of pride when he discusses the possiblity of becomming a priest and I have mentioned that he probably needs to meet with our parish priest to discuss this situation, but, as I just mentioned, he lacks discipline in understanding the responsibility he has in looking towards the future. I recognize that my ideas and goals are 180 degress different than his and I tend to be somewhat overbearing at times, so I want to be careful about how I approach this delicate issue.

What I would like to know is what advice do any of you have for me in guiding him and assisting in any exploration of the priesthood he has without “turning him off” to the idea?

Thank You,

SG

 

[chicago]

There are college seminaries. In his search for the future after high school, see if he might be willing to talk to/visit with/ explore the possibility of attending one to discern whether it might be his call.

 

[ltbpoe43]

God Bless you for continuing to encourage him. I’m not sure it’s lack of discipline so much as lack of maturity - he’s only 16 and there is lots of high school left and lots of youth group activities to experience. Perhaps those experiences are needed for him to discern his vocation.

You are guiding him correctly and that’s commendable.

What about asking your son if he thinks its a good ideat to invite your parish priest over for dinner? Sort of a meet and greet on the home turf and see how it goes. No pushing, no stress, let the Holy Spirit guide the way.

Good luck.

 

[aaronjmagnan]

I’m a teacher who was sort of the same when I was younger, and I agree with the post below: it’s an age thing.

One of the things I explain to my students as far as homework and studying is that it’s okay that they hate it, but they still have to do it. Boredom is just a feeling, and shouldn’t qualify a task as good or bad. The means and ends for the task qualify them as good and bad, but not always that feeling we get from it.

For instance, when doing work and studying:
—the “means” are the determination, will-power, practice, and patience that are required for the task
—the “ends” are the accomplished task, the products of that accomplished task (good grades, impact on others), the good habits produced by that task, etc.

And after this idea is put into the students’ brains a few times, the habit has been created…it’s all a thing of habits.

Most students grasp that idea and reminding them of that tends to push them out of their funk whenever boredom pops up.

That’s motivation from my point of view that might help him whether he follows a vocation or not.

As far as how best to encourage the vocation…I’ll leave that to the experts, but I know a hands-off, light encouragement-when-it-comes-up one tends to work best.

God bless,
Aaron Magnan

 

[Caesar]

Well, I’m not a parent of a son who wants to be a priest. I’m 18 and currently discerning the priesthood myself. I too struggle with liberal teachers in school, and my three part-time jobs keep me from excelling on my school assignments.

The best thing you can do for your son is to support him and encourage him in his discernment. Don’t be real pushy about it, but take an interest.

 

[KCT]

Pray and sacrifice for him. Also, be sure he spends time around priests. They really are normal guys! —KCT