Dear Sara,

It is almost definite that you already have greatly influenced your sons thoughts. However, that is the role of a responsible parent, so no harm done, quite the contrary. I think every mother and father should make sure that each one of their children knows their faith well, and receives from them a strong example of married love, and also a deep appreciation for the consecrated vocation and the priesthood.

I think every child should know the liberating truth that his parents only desire that he do in life what God wants of him, and he can count on their support 100% in falling his call, be it to the married or the consecrated vocation, or the priesthood. Some parents err on the side of total opposition to consecration and the priesthood, or to the concrete form to which their child feels called, while others can err by subtle and not so subtle pressure towards them despite their childs hesitation.

At times it can be hard to strike a balance for example, when a son shows all the signs of a vocation, has had a strong inclination in the past, but when the time comes he is not really giving it a chance. You dont want to force him, but you cant really stand by passively either; you have to lend your voice to God while still respecting your sons freedom.   

In these cases we have to pray, purify our intention, ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten us, and attempt an open, faith-motivated conversation with him, because we love him, we love Christ, we love the souls he may be called to serve and we love the Church. In doing so we are not trying to get him to answer us, but we are trying to place him before Christ, to answer him.

Hope that helps.

God bless.