Common Questions Asked by Parents

Note that your son or daughter would ever keep you in the dark, but here are answers to some commonly asked questions by parents…

How should I react if my son talks about becoming a priest?

If this hasn’t happened yet, maybe you ought to ask yourself the question of “How would you react?” or “How would your spouse react?” Would it be shock? Concern? Skepticism? Would this be a dream come true for you or your worst nightmare? Knowing and understanding your own feelings and why you feel that way is an important step in knowing how to respond to your son. The vast majority of teens today feel that if they told their parents they were even “just thinking” about priesthood or religious life, their parents would be completely opposed to the idea, laugh at them or think they were on drugs or something! However, studies consistently show that approximately 30% of Catholic teenagers have considered the possibility of priesthood or religious life?

A vocation is quite simply a call from God. God gives each one of us a vocation and has blessed us with certain abilities and talents. Some of us are called to be married. Others are called to be single. Still others are called to the priesthood or to religious life. One vocation is not better than another. We hope that if your child shows an interest in the priesthood, you will be supportive and encouraging.