Some parents express anxiety over their son’s potential loneliness as an unmarried person.

There is a great difference between being alone and being by yourself.  A person can be in a room full of people and still feel all alone.  In the life of a priest, moments of solitude or being by themselves are required for prayer, reflection, homily preparation, and rest.  Many priests experience this "being by themselves" without feeling lonely. Further, in the midst of his ministry, a priest interacts with hundreds of individuals a week, and enjoys many life-giving friendships. Nevertheless, no vocation is immune to loneliness.  Therefore, regular contact with family members, especially his parents is always a great joy and blessing for a priest.  Further, a priest must always be vigilant in maintaining healthy relationships not only with his family, but with friends, brother priests, sisters and parishioners as well.