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My Son, the Priest: A Mother’s Crisis of Faith
Not every Catholic mother wants her son to be a priest.
The true story of a young man’s journey to become a Jesuit priest—written by his mother, a fallen-away Catholic who must come to terms with her son’s decision or risk losing him. It is an intimate, sometimes irreverent, and often searing examination of faith, family, and reconciliation.
“You send your son off to college and you think that in a few years you might get a call, and he’ll announce that he has someone he’s bringing home, someone he wants you to meet. But then that someone turns out to be a recruiter hawking a lifetime of poverty, chastity and obedience. What college kid in his right mind would sign up for that?”
The book offers a rare, often entertaining, glimpse into the highly unusual Jesuit formation process—which includes sending would-be priests off on pilgrimages with $35 in their pockets. It also takes on tough issues, from the church’s history of sexual abuse to its treatment of women, and asks tough Is it possible to be Catholic, liberal, and a feminist all at the same time? What does it mean to call yourself a Catholic?
The true story of a young man’s journey to become a Jesuit priest—written by his mother, a fallen-away Catholic who must come to terms with her son’s decision or risk losing him. It is an intimate, sometimes irreverent, and often searing examination of faith, family, and reconciliation.
“You send your son off to college and you think that in a few years you might get a call, and he’ll announce that he has someone he’s bringing home, someone he wants you to meet. But then that someone turns out to be a recruiter hawking a lifetime of poverty, chastity and obedience. What college kid in his right mind would sign up for that?”
The book offers a rare, often entertaining, glimpse into the highly unusual Jesuit formation process—which includes sending would-be priests off on pilgrimages with $35 in their pockets. It also takes on tough issues, from the church’s history of sexual abuse to its treatment of women, and asks tough Is it possible to be Catholic, liberal, and a feminist all at the same time? What does it mean to call yourself a Catholic?
266 pages, Paperback
Published November 11, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 22, 2025
Patrick Gilger was baptized a Catholic and made his First Communion. However, he was raised in the Episcopalian church by his fallen away Catholic parents. This is the story of Patrick, primarily as he enters Jesuit formation and becomes a Jesuit, as well as the story of his mother as she reconsiders Catholicism and her relationship with God.
February 21, 2026
Gilger's writing is a pleasure to read -- while I disagree with her attitude towards some of the Church's teachings, it's always a pleasure to see someone honestly and earnestly striving towards the Catholic faith. She also brings interesting insight into both priestly formation as a whole, and the particularities of Jesuit formation as experienced through the life of her son.
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September 28, 2025Here's the Kirkus review for this book. Very enthusiastic!
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews