What Shall I Be? A Chat With Young People

In Short

Written to guide young people through the daunting process of choosing a life path, this work offers gentle, practical wisdom on discerning a vocation to the priesthood, religious life, or secular callings. Rejecting harsh rigorist ideas that treat spiritual paths as impossibly restricted, the author argues that divine invitations are extended broadly to all capable souls. Through historical examples, theological insights, and warm encouragement, it dismantles common fears about youth, unworthiness, and natural aversion, presenting a spiritual framework that has endured by replacing anxiety with joyful, confident self-surrender to God's will.

The Story

The volume opens by establishing the fundamental destiny of every human soul: perfection through the daily fulfillment of God's holy will. The author surveys the landscape of human occupations, acknowledging the dignity of secular professions like law, medicine, and trade, while asserting that spiritual callings hold a higher place because they directly cultivate the soul and minister to eternal needs. He systematically dismantles the rigorist notion that religious life is closed off or restricted to a tiny, rigidly selected spiritual elite. Instead, drawing upon Scripture and theological authorities like St. Thomas Aquinas, he establishes that Christ's invitation to virginity and perfection is broad and general, extending to all unmarried persons who possess the basic qualifications of health, character, and sound will.

Moving forward, the text addresses common psychological and spiritual obstacles that trouble young minds. Many youths mistakenly believe that a lack of immediate emotional inclination or a feeling of natural repugnance signals a lack of a vocation. The author corrects this error by explaining the difference between sensible consolation and the steady pull of grace, using domestic and historical analogies to show that courage often requires pushing past fear and initial hesitation. He tackles the objection that the young are too inexperienced, pointing instead to numerous saints—such as Stanislaus Kostka, Thomas Aquinas, and Aloysius Gonzaga—who consecrated their youth early and achieved profound spiritual heights. Guarding the tender sprout of a vocation from the corrupting influences of the world is framed as a matter of prudence rather than undue restriction.

The progression then shifts to specific forms of higher service, notably the priesthood and religious teaching. The priesthood is elevated through its sharing in Christ's divine powers, particularly the administration of sacraments and the care of souls, while religious education is championed as a noble molding of minds and hearts that shapes the moral foundation of society. The narrative emphasizes that religious life is not achieved through isolated human strength, but through structured discipline, daily prayer, and frequent reception of the Eucharist, which Pope Pius X ardently recommended for the young.

Toward its conclusion, the text addresses the vital role of Christian parents and families, framing the home as the foundational nursery of vocations where spiritual aspirations should be nurtured rather than feared or ignored. It reassures readers that declining a counsel of perfection out of human weakness does not constitute a sin, comparing the soul's hesitation to a child seeking reassurance from a loving parent. Finally, the volume closes with an affectionate farewell to the reader, pairing practical guidance with a solemn prayer for the right choice of a state of life, leaving behind a legacy of profound peace, spiritual consolation, and unwavering trust in divine providence.

How It Unfolds

Mapping the landscape of life The book begins by surveying various human occupations, ranking them by their spiritual and intellectual worth while affirming the dignity of all honest labor. It introduces the core premise that perfection is attainable in any walk of life through the diligent practice of God's will.

Broadening the divine invitation Challenging centuries of rigorist teaching, the author argues that Christ's call to religious perfection is not restricted to a tiny, isolated elite. Scriptural texts and theological traditions are marshaled to prove that the invitation to virginity and higher service extends to all qualified souls.

Overcoming fear and hesitation The text addresses the psychological hurdles of youth, explaining that natural repugnance or a lack of emotional warmth does not negate a true vocation. Readers are urged to replace debilitating timidity with holy courage and decisive action when conscience points the way.

Defending early dedication Countering worldly arguments that youths should experience counting-house life or worldly distractions before choosing, the text champions early consecration. Historical examples of young saints demonstrate that shielding delicate spiritual aspirations yields extraordinary fruits of sanctity.

Exalting higher service The work explores the sublime responsibilities of the priesthood and religious teaching, emphasizing sacramental authority and the formation of youth. It illustrates these callings through dramatic historical accounts, including Father Damien's heroic ministry among lepers.

Nurturing the final choice The concluding chapters highlight the crucial role of Christian parents in fostering spiritual callings within the home rather than stifling them out of fear. The volume ends with comforting pastoral reassurances and a dedicated prayer for guidance in selecting an eternal path.

The People

Rather than featuring fictional characters, the book focuses on historical figures, saints, and archetypal young aspirants who embody its spiritual principles. The ambitious Christian boy and girl want to achieve worldly success or follow noble secular professions, but they often find themselves blocked by hesitation, fear of the unknown, or worldly pressures that counsel delay. Through the text, figures like the young Stanislaus Kostka emerge, desiring complete dedication to God despite facing family opposition and grueling journeys across Europe; he overcomes these physical and emotional barriers to enter the Jesuit novitiate, dying shortly after in a state of profound spiritual joy. Similarly, historical personages like Father Damien want to serve the most abandoned souls, facing the immense physical barrier of isolation and the horrifying contagion of leprosy in Molokai, yet he transforms a community of outcasts and secures a legacy of supreme sacrifice. St. Thomas Aquinas and Aloysius Gonzaga want an early union with the divine, brushing past conventional age restrictions to dedicate their childhoods to religious orders, ultimately achieving the honors of the altar and enduring spiritual illumination. Across these examples, ordinary youths transition from hesitation and self-doubt to confident, generous self-surrender, proving that spiritual resolve reshapes human lives.

In Its Own Voice

Addressing the fundamental condition of discipleship, the author cites Christ's direct instruction to those seeking spiritual perfection.

If thou wilt be perfect go sell what thou hast and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven and come follow Me.

Encouraging courage over timidity in spiritual warfare, the text reminds readers of the disruptive yet transformative nature of following divine calls.

Do not think that I came to send peace upon earth: I came not to send peace, but the sword.

Highlighting the ultimate spiritual reward promised to those who forsake worldly attachments for a higher path, the author quotes apostolic scripture.

And every one that hath left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for My name, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting.

What It's Really About

At its core, this work is an exploration of human freedom, divine grace, and the mechanics of spiritual discernment. It addresses the fundamental question of how an individual discovers their unique place in God's design without falling into the traps of scrupulosity or worldly indifference. The author argues against the fatalistic notion that vocations are rigidly predetermined or impossibly restricted secrets, redefining them as open invitations requiring human cooperation and free will. By examining the interplay between natural inclinations and supernatural grace, the book tackles the deeper philosophical tension between secular ambition and spiritual perfection, asserting that true human happiness is found not in self-preservation, but in generous, unreserved surrender to a higher purpose.

Why Read It Today

Contemporary readers seeking a window into early twentieth-century Catholic pastoral thought will find this book an earnest, deeply reassuring companion. Those interested in spiritual discernment, religious history, or the psychology of commitment will love its warm, pastoral tone, which completely lacks modern marketing hype or manipulative pressure. Reading it feels like sitting across from a wise, gentle spiritual director who genuinely cares about the reader's future happiness. Modern readers must navigate certain period attitudes, such as nineteenth- and early twentieth-century devotional conventions and a pronounced preference for monastic or clerical life over secular paths, which reflect the era's specific ecclesiastical culture. However, beneath these period-specific elements lies a timeless meditation on decision-making, courage, and the importance of living a life aligned with one's deepest convictions. What stays with the reader long after finishing is the author's radical optimism—the conviction that divine love is an inviting embrace rather than a harsh test, and that choosing a meaningful life requires stepping past fear into courageous trust.