To the pupils of the 4th and 5th years of secondary school at the Borgo San Martino college (Alessandria)

E VI 3003

Advice on choosing the clerical or secular state and related rules to follow depending on the type of choice

Turin, 17 June 1879

My dear boys in 4th and 5th secondary,

I would have liked to respond before now to some of the letters written to me by your dear teacher and several of you. Since I cannot do this individually, I am writing a letter to everyone, reserving the right to speak to each of you privately during the upcoming feast of St. Aloysius.

Keep in mind that in this world men must walk the path of heaven in one of two states: clerical or secular. For the secular state, each person must choose the studies, occupations, and professions that allow them to fulfil the duties of a good Christian and that are pleasing to their parents.

As for the clerical state, they must follow the rules established by our divine Saviour: renounce comforts, worldly glory, and earthly pleasures in order to devote themselves to the service of God and thus better ensure the joys of heaven, which will have no end.

In making this choice, each one should listen to the advice of their confessor and then, without regard for superiors or inferiors, relatives or friends, decide what will facilitate their path to salvation and console them at the point of death.

A young man who enters the clerical state with this intention has moral certainty that he will do great good for his own soul and for his neighbour’s soul.

Moreover, there are many branches in the clerical state, all of which must start from one point and tend towards the same centre, which is God. Secular priest, Religious priest, priest in the foreign missions: these are the three fields in which workers for the gospel are called to work and promote the glory of God.

Everyone can choose what is closest to their heart, most suited to their physical and moral strength, taking advice from a pious, learned and prudent person.

At this point, I should clarify many difficulties relating to the world that would like all young people at its service, while God would like them all for himself. However, I will endeavour to respond verbally or, better still, explain the difficulties that each of you may encounter in making some of these important decisions.

The basis of a young person’s happy life is frequent communion and reading every Saturday the prayer to Our Blessed Lady on the choice of state, as described in the Companion of Youth.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, and may he grant you the precious gift of perseverance in doing good.

I will commend you every day to the Lord, and you also pray for me, that I may always be, in Jesus Christ,

Your most affectionate friend

Fr John Bosco