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by John Eldredge
Nashville: Thomas Nelson Press, 2001
"Every man was once a boy. And every little boy has dreams, big dreams: dreams of being the hero, of beating the bad guys, of doing daring feats and rescuing the damsel in distress. But what happens to those dreams when we grow up? In"Wild at Heart" John Eldredge invites men to recover their masculine heart, defined in the image of a passionate God." – Taken from the back cover. An excellent read. Can you handle the adventure?
by John Eldredge
Nashville: Thomas Nelson Press, 2003
Waking the Dead leads readers to understand how to live from the heart, care for their hearts like the treasures of the kingdom, and give from fullness instead of emptiness. This message also shows how living from the heart can energize people to love God and others in a way they've never experienced, revealing to them life's purpose: fighting for the hearts of others.
by Robert Furey
Crossroad Publishing Company, 1995
Typically, people think of a "calling" as the impetus to a religious vocation; Robert Furey challenges us to consider that each of us has a calling, unique to our personal strengths, gifts, and even weaknesses. In his definition of a calling, spirituality, service and purpose are key: a calling is not just performing the task at which one is most skilled, but using one's gifts to make the world a better place. God calls each of us to contribute to the betterment of the world. This book is inspiring and well-written, insightful and thought-provoking, especially if you are seeking meaning and purpose in your own life or exploring the nature of your own calling.
by Fr. Larry Richards
Ignatius Press, October 2009
While some writers apply a one-size-fits-all approach to the Christian life, Father Richards draws on his many years of ministry and his own experience as a man to inspire other men as men. In Be a Man!, he recounts his struggles to learn true manhood, as well as the inspiring stories of others he has served in his decades as a priest. He tells men how to focus on the right goal, how to live as a beloved son of God, of the need to acknowledge one’s faults and to live according to the Holy Spirit, to be a man of true love and of wisdom, to appreciate properly the differences between men and women, to pursue holiness, and to make a difference in the world. Not preachy but direct, Father Richards challenges men to be strong, without putting on a mask of false strength or machismo. He calls men to admit their weaknesses and limitations, while urging them to find strength in faith and genuine love to overcome their sins and faults.
by Fr. Brett Brennan
Vianney Vocations, 2010
"Fr.Brannen has given a tool that so many young men have prayed for in their discernment. When considering if whether or not God is calling you to the priesthood many men are scared and confused. So many men have prayed "why cant their be a book that just has all the answers!?" To Save a Thousand Souls is the answer to that prayer! Fr.Brannen takes a person step by step through what the signs are that you might be called, who to talk to, and even how to tell your friends and family. This book would make an excellent gift to someone discerning. It would also be a good tool for helping anyone understand what priesthood is and the difficulties of discernment." – Eddy Warrant
by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II was a very prolific writer. Many of his reflections may help you in your discernment of God's will in your life. Click on the title to go directly to the Vatican website edition.
by Fr. Mark O'Keefe, O.S.B.
Saint Meinrad School of Theology, 1998
Fr. Mark O'Keefe stresses that by his ordination the priest is not simply a functionary (what does a priest do?) but rather the priest represents Christ and acts in the name of Christ (in answer to the question: what is the priest?) The ordained priest is to model his life on the life of Christ, and to strive by his life to lead others to Christ. Perhaps the thesis of this booklet can be summarized with this quotation of Pope John Paul II cited by Fr. Mark: "The priestly vocation is essentially a call to holiness, in the form which derives from the Sacrament of Orders. Holiness is intimacy with God; it is the imitation of Christ, who was poor, chaste and humble; it is unreserved love for souls and a giving of oneself on their behalf and for their true good; it is love for the church which is holy and wants us to be holy, because this is the mission that Christ entrusted to her. Each one of you should also be holy in order to help your brothers and sisters to pursue their vocation to holiness.”
by Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R.
Our Sunday Visitor, March 1998
“I loved this book. However, it would be a little difficult for the non-Catholic to understand with all the talk of feast days, rituals, etc. Father Eugene was a wonderful man who accomplished more in his 25 years than many accomplish in their lifetime. I would encourage anyone who can handle a very sad story to read this book. It will strengthen your faith incredibly!” – Holly Fairchild
by Christopher J Duquin and Lorene Hanley Duquin
Alba House, November 1998
“I was very happy to finally find a book that could help me (and anyone else) discern the priesthood. The authors simply lay out the facts, supported by seminarians, priests, and laity, but never push you one way or the other. I found that this book helps you process the many questions swirling in your mind about discernment and come to your own conclusions. I would recommend this book to anyone who is considering religious vocation because it gives a wonderful chronology of what to expect of yourself and others throughout the entire process. This is a must read!!” – Anonymous review.
by Francis Trochu
Westminster, Maryland: Newman Press, 1955
“The Curé of Ars is the story of a heroic priest, St. John Vianney, who left his every desire behind to serve the Church, especially through hours upon hours sitting in the confessional bringing penitents the rich mercy of God. He was holy, he was funny, he was strict, he was compassionate, he was incredible! You might cry... your jaw might fall to the floor as you learn the amazing life of the patron saint of parish priests. If you can't manage the original work, which is almost 600 pages, you can find a shorter abridged version by the same author, a mere 200 pages.”
by Francis P. Friedl and Rex Reynolds
Ave Maria Press, July 1998
In this book 34 different priests tell their stories and reflect on their lives as priests.
by Jean D'Elbee
Saint Bede's Publications, September 1983
"I Believe In Love"... reading the writings and words and thoughts of Saint Thérèse herself is one of the most spiritually transforming experiences anyone can have... after reading her and letting her speak to our hearts and souls, a book like this... helps us to allow her "little way" to find spiritual resonance in our lives. No one will actually "say it better" than did Saint Thérèse herself, but meditation on her understanding of God and herself... of God and "us"... and how that relationship might be lived, can open our minds to see OUR OWN LIVES from her perspective and vantage point. – Michael G. Batcho.
by Joseph Cardinal Bernardin
Loyola Press, 1997
This whole book deals with his life as a priest and Cardinal and the grace of God he experienced through his ministry and illness.
by Fr. Ronald Rolheiser, O.M.I.
Doubleday, July 1999
“Inside of us, it would seem, something is at odds with the very rhythm of things and we are forever restless, dissatisfied, frustrated, and aching… Put more simply, there is within us a fundamental dis-ease, an unquenchable fire that renders us incapable, in this life, of ever coming to full peace. This desire lies at the center of our lives, in the marrow of our bones, and in the deep recesses of the soul… Spirituality is, ultimately, about what we do with that desire. What we do with our longings, both in terms of handling the pain and the hope they bring us, that is our spirituality… Likewise for Augustine, when he says: "You have made us for yourself, Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you." – Quotes from the book.
by Fr. Stephen Rosetti
Notre Dame: Ave Maria Press, 2005
“How do you value priestly ministry- above all in a society in which the consecrated vocation to God is often scorned or simply misunderstood by many? Father Stephen Rosseti, in a very simple way, expounds on the meaning and the beauty of a life dedicated to Christ and the Church in a pluralistic society. He highlights the essence of priestly life and shows that the priesthood has value not only for the one living it but also for the people the priest serves.” – Arthur C. Mollenhauer.
by George Weigel
Perseus Books Group, November 2005
Weigel writes directly to young Catholics (and anyone interested in Catholicism), about what it means to be Catholic today. He invites his readers to see that Catholicism isn’t just a creed or code of religious beliefs, but a ‘lens’ from which we can view the world as God wishes us to see it.
by Fr. Henri J.M. Nouwen
Crossroad General Interest, September 2002
“This is a well written book on our relationship with each other and the beloved. I highly recommend it for those who are ready to be intimate with God.” – C. Lauer
by John Paul II
San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1981
Drawing from his own pastoral experiences before he became Pope, John Paul II writes that Science (Biology, Sociology, Psychology, etc.) provide important insights into what it means to be a person, but that it is only through a full understanding of the human person that we can understand ourselves and who we were created to be. Invoking scriptural authority and the traditional teachings of the church and mixing them with our ordinary human experiences logically examined, John Paul II presents a framework of how to understand our experiences and feelings, enabling us to make decisions that lead to true happiness and fulfillment, no matter what your life status or vocation.
by Fr. Thomas Green
Ave Maria Press, September 1977
“Opening to God is about just that, opening to God's will and his movements within the soul and in the world. It is a very practical guide to discernment. I have used it with high school students who sometimes found the vocabulary and some concepts beyond them, and it is not full of poetic glimpses of the Divine mystery. It is a well grounded and faith filled view of how the Christian can faithfully seek the will of God.” – Patrick McGervey
by Fulton Sheen
San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1963
“In this timeless classic, Archbishop Fulton Sheen presents what is, in my humble opinion, the 'piece de résistance' of his whole life: a profound understanding of the Catholic Priesthood, grounded in the Scriptures, as a sharing in the High Priesthood of Jesus Christ, who is both Priest and Victim… The implications of this challenging understanding of the Priesthood are the seeds of a genuine renewal of the Priesthood in our time--so sorely needed--and transcend the issues that divide us and distract us from what is of the essence: we priests are not our own. We belong to the Priest and Victim whose life and priesthood we share! This book is a treasure!” – Fr. Kenneth L. Lovasik
by Georges Bernanos
Da Capo Press, January 9, 2002
“In this classic Catholic novel, Bernanos movingly recounts the life of a young French country priest who grows to understand his provincial parish while learning spiritual humility himself.” – Editorial review, Amazon.com
by Fr. Thomas Dubay, S.M.
San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1987
One of the best books on this subject. Every Catholic should read it to have a better understanding of the priests and religious who serve them. Especially good is the explanation of the priest as a bridegroom whose spouse is the Church, in the image of Christ the Bridegroom found in Scripture. Also good is the explanation that "being" precedes "doing." We are valuable in God's eyes because we "are", not because of what we "do," that love falls into the category of "being" rather than "doing" and is the "greatest of these"... A must read. – Customer review, Amazon.com
by Joseph Bolin
CreateSpace, May 31, 2008
"At last I have found my vocation. My vocation is love!" Love is the heart of every vocation. This book about vocation has several unique features. First, while being addressed to all Catholics, it does not oversimplify vocation, or give a mere compilation of advice, but aims to present the rich depth and wealth of the Christian understanding of vocation in a simple and accessible manner. Secondly, this book goes right to two great saints at the heart of quite different traditions on vocation, namely St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Ignatius Loyola, and the basic difference between them, a difference which is often unappreciated, or is passed over superficially. The goal is not to decide in favor of one over the other, nor to examine in detail their historical or theological connection; this book rather aims to use these different points of view to convey all that belongs to a full Christian and human approach to vocation. – Editorial review, Amazon.com
The best of all books to read however - is the Bible!
There is no more direct way of opening oneself up to the message God has for you than through His word. By reading, praying and studying through the Gospels and the rest of Sacred Scripture hopefully you'll see the calling that God is offering you!
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