8.97. I have sons but prefer they become doctors or lawyers and give us grandchildren rather than be priests. Isn’t that just being practical?
It is natural for parents to love their children and want what is best for them. But for Catholic parents, “best” must mean God’s will, not simply earthly success. A vocation to the priesthood is the highest calling a man can receive on earth—far greater than medicine, law, or wealth—because it serves the eternal salvation of souls, not just temporal needs.
To discourage a son from becoming a priest in favor of a lucrative career or grandchildren is to reject a divine calling, elevate selfish desires, and undermine the Church—which today suffers a crisis of true vocations precisely because of this faithless, materialist mentality.
Below is a comparison between the Catholic view of vocations and priesthood, and the modern preference for worldly professions and family pride.
| Category | Traditional Catholic View | Modern "Catholic" (Post-Vatican II) View | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Priesthood | The highest vocation; a man gives his life to God and souls | Seen as outdated, burdensome, or lonely | Loss of supernatural faith has devalued the priesthood |
| Vocations | Discerned through prayer, sacrifice, and obedience to God’s call | Discouraged in favor of secular success and marriage | Parents are called to foster—not block—vocations |
| Career Goals | Secondary to eternal salvation; may support God’s plan | Primary concern: income, prestige, degrees | This prioritizes **earthly reward over heavenly glory** |
| Children | Each child belongs to God; may be called to sacrifice all for Him | Expected to give parents grandchildren and worldly pride | “He who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me” (Matt. 10:37) |
| Parent’s Role | Encourage holiness, discernment, sacrifice | Push success, wealth, comfort, and marriage | Selfish parental dreams must not outweigh God’s will |
| Fruits | Vocational clarity, sanctity, missionary zeal | Empty seminaries, priest shortages, worldly lives | “By their fruits you shall know them” (Matt. 7:16) |
Summary:
To discourage priestly vocations is to rob the Church and deny your son the glory of the altar. Would you prefer he become a doctor for bodies—or a priest for souls? Would you rather hold a grandchild, or have your son hold the Body of Christ in consecrated hands?
God may indeed call some to be doctors or lawyers—but no one should fear or resist the priesthood, least of all parents.
As Our Lord said:
“The harvest is great, but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He send laborers into His harvest.”
Further reading:
Casti Connubii (On Christian Marriage) by Pope Pius XI (1930)