both parents were devout and agreed to let him continue his studies to become a priest instead of going to work. one night in 1895 he went to his shared bedroom with his siblings and then crept downstairs barefoot to the kitchen to the fireside to speak with his parents regarding his desire to become a priest. he pleaded with his father, who relented after two tears fell down his cheeks; cardijn affirmed: "i've felt within me a call from god. i want to be a priest". he commenced his ecclesial education in 1897. his parents had wanted him to have a good job since it would add to their income and ensure the cardijns were better off.