The tone in his voice changed. "Something has happened in these last few years," he said solemnly. Over ten years had passed since we were ordained priests. Middle age was now quickly approaching; gone were the eager young men in their 20's. "A deeper pain has unexpectedly appeared since we made the promise of celibacy all those years ago," he admitted. He took a deep breath: "It hurts that I will never have my own children." His vulnerability took us by surprise as we pondered his brutal honesty. A witty response immediately came to mind but I suppressed it. This moment required silence, not words. After a few seconds had passed, all we could do was nod in total agreement.