A formula that is both simple and complex.

I’ve written about the importance of family life in the planting and cultivation of vocational seeds in the hearts of children and young people. Recently, I came across an article titled, “Formula for a Vocation,” by Teresa Thomas, a writer for Today’s Catholic Magazine. I found her piece to be one of the finest I’ve read when it comes to summing up the critical roles that mothers and fathers play in the vocational choices their children will eventually make. It’s succinct, but manages to convey many key points.

Two things stand out in Thomas’ article.

First, a phrase she says a priest once found on the wall of a prison inmate’s cell – “Mothers are the fate of men.” In explaining to the priest why he had scrawled that on his wall, the convict said that during the time he had spent in prison reflecting on the important things in life, he had come to see that “a good mother is a blessing for the children; a bad mother, however, is a terrible curse.”

Second, Thomas highlights the importance of the father encouraging his son to consider the priesthood, and how that encouragement “legitimizes the option as an accepted and viable one” for the boy.

The author shares many other thoughts about priestly vocations and the family. You’ll just have to click on the link above to read the entire article.