Parents’ influence on children

June 22, 2017
Lenny Barretto
Daly City

Little Sister of the Poor Sister Constance Veit’s well-articulated article (“The greatest mission for parents,” June 8) should act as a guide. It showed you cannot have priests, nuns and become better persons, if Christian life is not strong in a nation.

There is a story told of the first cardinal of India – Valerian Gracias – who made a touching statement with an expression of gratitude for the training he received from his mother to become a solid Christian. Dedicating his first book, he wrote: “To the memory of my mother, who knowing not to read, yet taught her son more than reading could teach.”

It is also said of Pope Pius X, when he was consecrated bishop, that he went to his mother and said, “Mother, look at the beautiful ring of mine.” His mother, who was a very poor woman and busy washing, scrubbing and cooking, replied, “Son, you would not be having that beautiful ring if I had not had this wedding ring; now of course the glitter is gone.”

It was St. Augustine who said to his mother, St. Monica: “There are many philosophical women in antiquity, but your philosophy pleases me more than theirs.”

Parents’ influence on children has a deep impact on their lives and spiritual needs must be a priority of every part of their lives.

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