Dear Lara,

Since you are baptized you have a larger family than your parents and you.

But let's get to the bottom of the mentality behind your question, a mentality that is very common nowadays and always - the faith has never been easy. Why is it that those who object to an only child following a religious vocation have nothing against him or her getting married, or accepting overseas work? It is not uncommon to meet parents who are less tolerant of a son's or daughter's vocation than the heartbreak the mistakes of another sibling causes them. This is the mentality whereby God has to fit into our plans rather than us into his and makes us feel that we are "doing something to" our parents if we leave them, as surely we must, for a motive that is not material.

But it would be unfair to say that anyone who feels the hurt of separation is too worldly minded. Not only unfair, I think it would be inaccurate. There is a paradox here, since it is often the united, healthy families that feel the separation more. What they have that the others do not is the understanding and strength that their faith gives to accept and bear the sacrifice that God asks of them.

So if you foresee a struggle for your parents you should from right now try to strengthen your own faith and love for God, and do what you can to bring them closer to Christ as well.

God bless.