Dear Icia,

Since I dont write the questions and only answer them, I can only guess at the reason why many of those referring to parents seem to be negative, casting parents as a problem. On the other hand, some parents have written in to ask how to foster their childrens possible vocation, and I think the answers are here on the site, but most of those who log onto the site are probably young people thinking about their own vocation, and of those the only ones who tend to ask how to deal with parents are those experiencing some difficulty in that regard.

Bear in mind that the answers published on the website are only a portion of the questions I get asked, since the majority of writers ask for a personal reply only.

Be that as it may, in speaking to some diocesan vocation directors, it seems that even though there are many parents as you say, willing and ready like you, to assist their children in their quest for a vocation, there does exist a major problem in the catechesis of parents and many do not appreciate the vocation; are too attached to their children and think that a vocation is a waste of a life and an education they have paid for. If you look at the percentages who go to Mass regularly on Sundays (and even more if you look at the percentages who go to regular confession), I think you will understand that indeed, there are many Catholic parents whose values are more worldly than Christian.

There is a lot to do.

God bless.