Dear Marcie and Jim:  

You are privileged to see Grace working before your very eyes. It is too early to know if what your son feels and says is really a vocation to the priesthood; it is a definite attraction, however, and one that seems to be based on prayer. It is quite possible that it is a sign of what God is calling him to.  

Several things you can do:  

- Pray. Don't just pray, 'Lord, if you want him to be a priest tell us' or 'tell him'. Pray for him and every one of your children that they will each of them learn the love that God has for them - giving them life, Baptism, Communion and Reconciliation - and that they will always put him first in their lives out of love. Then also make a prayer of offering: 'Lord, I offer you each one of my children to do your work and spread your message.'  

- Encourage. Encourage your children to love God above all things, to be sensitive to the suffering and needs of others, especially their spiritual needs, to grow in a personal relationship with Christ as their Best Friend. Encourage them to pray for others, and to help others (to work and give a good part of their earnings to some charitable endeavor, for example)  

- Talk to them about heaven, the saints. Teach them the Catechism.  

- Make sure your son develops in a well-rounded way, that he does physical labor, yard work, etc; that he plays sports, gets a few knocks and dings; that he studies, acquires a fascination for reading; that you give him responsibilities that he sees through until they are done; that he develops good friendships; that he always finds in both of you example in everything; that he values and practices loyalty, honesty, service, kindness and courtesy; encourage cheerfulness, contact with nature, courage.  

- Beware of too much TV and passivity.  

Don't be dismayed with the long list, it is what I am sure you are already doing but sometimes we underestimate the importance of the small, normal things in life, and the human virtues.  

God bless.