The choice of joining a religious community implies, as the choice to marry, the exit from one’s family of origin (FO) and adherence to a new family. When a person becomes a priest, the phase of differentiation takes on unique characteristics: it sets forth an immutable link with the ecclesiastical world, a powerful reality and not equal with respect to FO. This form of junction also change future expectations about the roles conventionally expected in the family life cycle. The theme of the life cycle has only a limited extent examined the evolution of each member of the family in relation to different stages of the family life cycle. Intergenerational history, loyalty visible and invisible, myths and family mandates, are key issues in defining the sense of belonging of an individual and his ability to release from the FO. The present study, investigating this particular form of release, aims to open new questions: What dynamics of belonging, loyalty, separation and autonomy can trigger? Are these processes generalizable to other forms of release?
Keywords: Life cycle, differentiation, family of origin, church, pries.