Pope Leo XIV disclosed that he considered joining the Salesian order as a boy before choosing the Augustinians. The Pope shared this information during a meeting with members of the Salesian order at the parish Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Rome. The Pope joked that the Salesians "came in second place" in his discernment process. The article briefly touches upon the Pope's early signs of a religious calling, noted by his brother, including playing pretend Masses as a young child. Robert Prevost (Pope Leo XIV) made his final decision to join the Order of St. Augustine by the time he reached the eighth grade.
11 days ago
Pope Leo XIV revealed during a February 22, 2026, visit to Rome’s Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus that he considered joining the Salesians as a boy before discerning a vocation with the Augustinians.1
He joked that the Salesians, founded by St. John Bosco, "came in second place" in his spiritual journey.1
Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, the pope showed early signs of a religious vocation, playing priest at age 5 or 6 with an ironing board altar and candy wafers for Communion.1
His brother John recalled no doubt in the family that he would become a priest, even in kindergarten.1
In eighth grade, after visits from various vocation directors, Prevost chose the Order of St. Augustine and entered their seminary in Michigan at age 13.1
Augustinian spirituality emphasizes unity, truth, love, community, and service.1
Pope Leo expressed ongoing affection for the Salesians, noting he has visited more of their communities than Augustinian ones in his first ten months as pope.1
He praised their charism, especially service to youth and educational ministry for the poorest.1
The pope met Salesian members, toured the room where St. John Bosco stayed in 1887, and prayed a Hail Mary there.1
He urged them to serve youth generously, following Don Bosco’s example of Jesus’ love.1
This visit marks the second in a series of five planned parish visits across Rome before Easter.1
Assess how early discernment shapes a pope’s choice of religious order
Early discernment plays a pivotal role in guiding individuals toward a specific religious order, embedding them in its unique charism from youth or formative years, which profoundly shapes their spiritual identity and future ministry—even to the papal level. This process fosters a lifelong fidelity to the order's founding inspiration, as emphasized in Catholic teaching on consecrated life, where vocational clarity emerges through prayer, spiritual direction, and prolonged experience. For those called to the papacy from religious orders, this early commitment ensures that the charism infuses their universal leadership, promoting values like unity, truth, and charity across the Church.
Discernment begins early, often in adolescence or young adulthood, distinguishing true vocations through intense spiritual experience, authentic motives, and proven fidelity. Pope John Paul II highlighted the sacrament of Penance as a primary means for this, requiring moral certitude about a candidate's suitability after prolonged testing. Similarly, Pope Francis described discernment as demanding prayer, reflection, and courage, perfecting one's unique identity within a congregation's charism. This process orients the individual toward an order's threefold focus: to the Father (obedience, chastity, poverty), the Son (communion and mission), and the Holy Spirit (service).
Historical exemplars illustrate this: St. Stanislaus Kostka, at age 19, discerned a rapid path to perfection by entering the Jesuits, embracing self-denial and humility despite worldly temptations. St. Augustine's own restless discernment—marked by scruples and divine urging to "cast yourself upon Him"—led to conversion and monastic foundations, influencing generations. Such early choices reject self-reliance, trusting divine providence through spiritual guides.
"Cast yourself upon Him without fear, He will receive you, and heal you."
This echoes St. Alphonsus Liguori's counsel: obedience to directors quiets doubts, ensuring safe progress under providence.
Once discerned, the order's charism becomes integral, demanding fidelity that superiors must preserve amid ecclesial and social contexts. Pope John Paul II urged religious to return to roots, deepening the charism for contemporary evangelization, as with the Trinitarians' redemptive focus on prisoners and poor. Vita Consecrata insists this fidelity discerns consecrated life's essence, conforming persons to Christ.
For popes from orders, early discernment ensures the charism permeates their pontificate. Pope Leo XIV (Robert Francis Prevost), an Augustinian, exemplifies this: receiving the Saint Augustine Medal, he affirmed, "So much of who I am I owe to the spirit and the teachings of Saint Augustine," crediting the order's veritas, unitas, caritas. In his homily to the Augustinians' General Chapter, he invoked the Holy Spirit for listening and unity, mirroring Augustine's legacy. His early formation as friar, prior general, and bishop infused papal ministry with Augustinian emphasis on interiority, community, and service to the poor—like St. Thomas of Villanova.
"As Augustinians, we strive every day to live up to the example of our spiritual father, Saint Augustine. To be recognised as an Augustinian, it's an honor held dearly."
This contrasts diocesan paths (e.g., John Paul II's Thomistic influences without order membership ) but underscores how religious orders provide structured charisms for papal charisms.
Early discernment demands distinguishing God's reign from cultural progress, per the Catechism. Suspicions or doubts must yield to charity and obedience, avoiding rash judgments. Superiors suspect for correction, but laity aspire to think well of others. For popes, this forms resilient leaders, as Augustine's trials yielded peace.
Early discernment indelibly shapes a pope's religious order choice by rooting them in a charism that defines their spirituality, mission, and governance. Pope Leo XIV's Augustinian path—from youthful commitment to papal exhortations on listening and service—vividly demonstrates this, aligning with teachings on fidelity and vocational testing. Such formation equips popes to lead synodally, embodying their order's witness amid modern challenges.