{"id":10304,"date":"2010-03-17T21:05:57","date_gmt":"2010-03-18T01:05:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.splendoroftruth.com\/curtjester\/?p=10304"},"modified":"2010-03-18T12:47:03","modified_gmt":"2010-03-18T16:47:03","slug":"to-save-a-thousand-souls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.splendoroftruth.com\/curtjester\/2010\/03\/to-save-a-thousand-souls\/","title":{"rendered":"To Save a Thousand Souls"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a> For a thorough handbook for discerning priesthood “To save a thousand souls” is a great title. \u00a0Fortunately the book lives up to the title in that it is both a serious and worthwhile guide to those thinking about and further discerning a call to the priesthood.<\/p>\n

As the author points out int the book, this is for those specifically \u00a0discerning the Diocesan priesthood. \u00a0I would suggest that even those who are looking at becoming a priest in a religious order also take a look at this book since it so well illustrates what the diocesan priesthood is — plus a lot of the advice would apply to them also.<\/p>\n

Even as a layman reading this book there is a lot to recommend in it. \u00a0I really loved the first chapter “This is Just What Priests Do!” as it tells stories out of the lives of Diocesan priests. \u00a0As the book progresses it touches on the theology of the priesthood and the issue of what is a vocation in the first place. \u00a0Fr. Brett Brannen takes great care for the most part in explaining what a vocation is and what indeed is all of our primary vocations — to grow in holiness. \u00a0As he mentions, so often vocation is talked about in reference to the priesthood only and not the callings to consecrated and married life.<\/p>\n

Fr. Brett Brannen has taken his wealth of experience to answer all those questions that someone discerning the priesthood is bound to have. \u00a0He also provides solid spiritual advice along the way to help in this discernment and how to develop the spiritual life of prayer. \u00a0Several chapters address this specifically, but the topic is integral to both discernment and to what happens after the man decides he is being called to the priesthood.<\/p>\n

There is tons of practical advice spread throughout the book and presented quite simply. \u00a0One of the best parts of the book are the multiple stories from both his personal experience and from many others in regard to both discernment and being a priest. \u00a0Fr. Brett Brannen provides lots of clarity and he doesn’t just rollover difficult questions. \u00a0The book is solidly orthodox and the chapter titled “Celibacy, Chastity, Charity, and\u00a0Cheerfulness” presents the subject of celibacy forthrightly and also goes into the Vatican document regarding proposed seminarians and same-sex attraction. This chapter was especially well written in regards to sexual integration and what might disqualify someone from the priesthood. \u00a0The topic of masturbation is also addressed in some detail. \u00a0Another chapter addresses prerequisites and impediments to the\u00a0priesthood.<\/p>\n

There is also a lot of important information such as what is seminary like and a look a the day to day life as a seminarian along with the educational requirements. \u00a0The types of assignments a Diocesan priest might\u00a0experience\u00a0and a look at ordination day are other important chapters.<\/p>\n

In close to 400 pages I only had one quibble with this book. \u00a0The chapter on vocations talked of the single life led in generosity as a specific vocation. \u00a0I don’t believe that this is something the Church has really taught. \u00a0Mary Beth Bonachi wrote an article on this previously that she could find “no mention of an unconsecrated single \u201cvocation\u201d in Church teaching anywhere” and references Mulieris Dignitatem<\/a> <\/em>and notes\u00a0John Paul II says that God calls all women to give themselves in one of two ways \u2014 in motherhood or in consecration to Christ.\u00a0No mention of singleness in there. Though maybe this is an area that will be developed more fully by the Church in the future. \u00a0Often though I get the feeling people talk about the single life itself as a vocation to keep from hurting feelings. But I am not close to being an expert or really a fully informed layman on this subject.<\/p>\n

Like I said I had just the one quibble and otherwise I think this book would make a great resource throughout the Church to help those in discernment and to give much good advice to others that want to help promote vocations to the Diocesan priesthood. \u00a0Besides as a thorough handbook on the subject people don’t have to read it cover to cover, but could also use it as a handy reference — especially with the question index in the back. \u00a0This book has also been praised by many people such as the always reliable Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, C.F.R. and others with a solid reputation.<\/p>\n

Available\u00a0via Vianney Vocations<\/a><\/p>\n

Update: I found out that the book originally included in the section whether there was indeed a single vocation. They took the section out since the theology is still developing. So I guess I am now quibble free.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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