The mothers of priests and seminarians deserve the thanks of the whole Church for raising their sons in the faith and supporting them in their vocations, said Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy.

Writing on the Jan. 1 feast of Mary, Mother of God, the cardinal said having a priest-son requires a new form of motherhood, one that involves a “discreet, but very effective and invaluably precious accompaniment in prayer.”

When a man becomes a priest, Piacenza said, everyone in his family is touched and is called to a deeper conversion, but “unique and special are the spiritual consolations that come from having carried in your womb one who becomes a priest in Christ.”