The crisis of the 40s

Now I want to forewarn you against a psychological conflict. Some years ago, a good, prudent, pious friar told me, “Keep in mind that when people get to forty, married people want to become single again; friars, to be secular priests; doctors, lawyers; lawyers, engineers; and so on. It’s a sort of spiritual earthquake.”

In fact things don’t happen quite as that religious said, or at least not as a general rule. But I want my children to be aware of this possible sickness and be ready for it, even if very few people actually experience this crisis. If any of your brothers or sisters is afflicted by it, you will have to help them, by renewing and strengthening their piety, treating them very affectionately, and giving them something enjoyable to do. Maybe it will not happen at exactly forty; it might be at forty-five. We will have to ensure that they take things easy for a while, and we will do this not just for a few, but for everybody.