Things to read about priesthood and vocation
There are many good books, websites and articles about priesthood and vocation. This is just a small selection. It is good to be reading something that helps and inspires us.
- Stephen Rossetti, The Joy of Priesthood - A very positive, inspiring, and realistic view of priesthood, which faces the big issues, written by someone who has spent much of his priestly life ministering to priests.
- Tony Philpot, Priesthood in Reality - Reflections on priesthood in his own life and his rich experiences with other priests.
- Michael Hollings, Living Priesthood - Autobiography and reflections of a much-loved Westminster priest.
- Francis P. Friedl and Rex Reynolds, Extraordinary Lives: Thirty-four Priests Tell Their Stories - Short, simple, inspiring testimonies from a wide selection of priests with very different experiences – all of them still devoted to their priesthood.
- Roderick Strange, The Risk of Discipleship - A theology of priesthood, together with reflections on what is happening to priesthood in the world today.
- Pope John Paul II, Pastores Dabo Vobis - Pope John Paul’s most important writing on the priesthood and on priestly formation. Full of rich theology; quite difficult in parts.
- Timothy M. Dolan, Priests for the Third Millennium - Talks given to seminarians by a hard-hitting rector, now bishop in the States. Pithy, rich, and full of stories and anecdotes.
- Benedict J. Groeschel, From Scandal to Hope - Co-founder of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. An analysis of difficulties confronting the Church in the West, but which contains a strong vision of the heart of the priesthood.
- Matthew Levering (Editor), On the Priesthood: Classic and Contemporary Texts - Writings about the priesthood from the early saints to John Paul II.
- Second Vatican Council, Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests: Presbyterorum Ordinis - This is the main text from the Council about the priesthood. It can be found in a collection of documents: Austin Flannery (Editor), Vatican Council II.
Another great source of inspiration is to read the lives of the saints, especially the priest-saints! There are too many to list here. Find a biography of a particular saint that you love; or find one of the many collections of short ‘lives of the saints’ that are available.
Shopping and browsing
If you want to browse in a Catholic bookshop, three good ones in central London are:
St Pauls by Westminster Cathedral [just on the right of Westminster Cathedral]
Morpeth Terrace
Victoria
London SW1P 1EP
The Catholic Truth Society Bookshop [just in front of Westminster Cathedral, before McDonalds]
25 Ashley Place
Victoria
London SW1P 1LT
Pauline Books and Multimedia
199 Kensington High Street
Kensington
London W8 6BA