Author Topic: Question for fathers with young boys (Read 795 times)

Roland Deschain · « **on:** December 28, 2012, 11:35:12 AM »

So my 12 year old and I were having a "so what do you want to be when you grow up" discussion. My son stated that he has been praying about it and he thinks he may want to be a priest. Needless to say I would love for at least one of my boys to have a priestly vocation. Of course I also understand that a boy of 12 can change his goals/feelings etc rather quickly as he matures. The only advice I offered him was to keep praying for guidance and continue to be diligent in his studies. He is an acolyte in the Archconfraternity of St. Stephen and loves being on the altar.

Can any of the fathers here who may be in a similiar situation or have sons who have priestly vocations offer any further advice how to proceed personally so as to nurture this possible calling? How serious should I take a 12 year old boys feelings on the matter?

Thanks.

songbird · « **Reply #1 on:** December 28, 2012, 12:53:44 PM »

My great-great uncle was a priest of the Precious Blood Society from 1907-1944. He wrote a letter to his nephew and told him to pray and ask God about his vocation when he received his First Holy Communion in 1905. Fr. Rudolph(Peter Joseph) Stoltz was that priest. His letter also said, "It was just at my first Holy Eucharist that I prayed for my vocation and I got a strong inclination to study for the priesthood. And so he did. He never said that he would be a priest, but a strong inclination. I think that says it best. And so he did from 1893 to 1907 when he was ordained. So, your son needs the best schooling and don't we all and prayers and masses. He will need others to support his strong inclination.

Hobbledehoy · « **Reply #2 on:** December 28, 2012, 11:27:12 PM »

I am not a father, but it seems that the best thing you can do is to continue to instill in your son an exceeding great love and zeal for the Holy Rosary and help him understand the absolute indispensability of the maternal patronage of Our Lady in the cultivation of the interior life and Christian perfection.

For more concrete matters, please consult the following thread:

http://www.cathinfo.com/catholic.php/The-Training-of-the-Adolescent

Please be assured of my prayers.

ora pro me · « **Reply #3 on:** December 31, 2012, 02:01:08 PM »

Roland, Your advice to your son was very good. It sounds like you are already doing a good job, but continually aim to do a better job each day as a Catholic father. The best advice that you will give him is your example in prayer and daily virtue.

Leading the family Rosary and night prayers is essential in raising a Catholic family. If you can lead them in morning prayers as well, all the better. Always make sure that your chilren pray their morning offering as soon as they get out of bed along with 3 Hail Mary's to avoid all sin.

Helping your children to learn how to examine their consciences is crucial. Our priest gave a sermon once on this and advised us to read a meditation to our family at night prayers. As a matter of fact, he gave a series of sermons on the importance of meditation. Ask your priest for advice on this.

A few other things that are so important in raising a Catholic family is to have your home consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to live that consecration as a family.

Make it a practice to attend the First Fridays and First Saturdays in your parish. If you can't get your family to Mass on those days, make sure that your wife does so (if possible). If you live a distance from Mass and are unable to attend, be sure to make spiritual communions on these days in particular in reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Encourage your children to pray spiritual communions throughout each day. Make sure they pray their morning and night prayers. Pray as a family but also encourage them to pray their own as well.

Ask your priest for a list of spiritual reading books for your son and other children.
Borrow these books or purchase them if you are able. Read them yourself so that you can discuss them with your children. Do a bit of spiritual reading out loud to your family at dinner or after dinner. We aimed to read the daily lives of the saints at dinner when raising our children. We didn't always remember and it's often hard to get small children to be quiet long enough, but keep trying.

Root out the world, the flesh and the devil from your home and continue to keep these sins and occasions of sin out of your home. Monitor the computer, the TV and books. Get rid of any bad books, magazines and movies. When our kids were little, we had a lock on the TV and we would only unlock it for approved shows and then one of us would be nearby. I know there are systems that you can use to lock out channels or you can just have the TV for tapes that you approve ahead of time.

I could say more but I'll give the next person the invite to share.

Sigismund · « **Reply #4 on:** December 31, 2012, 11:56:03 PM »

I encouraged both my sons to serve at the alter and pray for guidance about a vocation. One became a priest, the other is a devout layman.

Roland Deschain · « **Reply #5 on:** January 01, 2013, 01:27:37 PM »

Thank you all for your suggestions and prayers.

Ora Pro Me-

An excellent list of practical advice. Reading at or after dinner is a great suggestion. We had wanted to read from "The Liturgical Year" every evening but, as you say, it is difficult with small children. You have inspired me to re-double my efforts.

God Bless.