Spiritual Renewal Of The American Priesthood

This study of priestly spirituality at the start of a new millennium considers how priests participate in the dying and rising of the Lord through challenges and joys that are rooted in our changing culture, in the growing diversity of our Catholic world, and in the demands of their own ministry. Designed as a study text, these pages contain reflection questions for both individuals and study groups of bishops, superiors and priests.

A spirituality of the American priesthood based on the documents of Vatican II and the teaching of the U.S. bishops.

“I wish every self-identified ‘person of faith’ could read this remarkable, thought-provoking book.”—Bruce Bawer, author of Stealing Jesus There is a lot of tension in churches today about whose ministry is primary—that of the laity or of the clergy. Living on the Border of the Holy offers a way of understanding the priesthood of the whole people of God and the priesthood of the ordained by showing both are rooted in the fundamental priestly nature of life. After an exploration of the ministries of laity and ordained, Country examines the implications of this view of priesthood for churches and for those studying for ordination. “For anyone struggling with how to live in the thin places between heaven and earth, Dr. Countryman’s brilliant offer hope, companionship, and the fruits of years of experience. His theory of a ‘fundamental human priesthood’ gives us all a compassionate guide to follow as we enter the borderlands, and it should help end the division between clergy and laity. Countryman’s human priesthood leads us into the future, where God calls us to be.”—Nora Gallagher, author of Things Seen and Unseen: A Year Lived in Faith

The time has come for Pietism to revitalize Christianity in America. Historian Christopher Gehrz and pastor Mark Pattie argue that the spirit of Pietism, with its emphasis on our walk with Jesus and its vibrant hope for a better future, holds great promise for the church today. Modeled after Philipp Spener's Pia Desideria, this concise and winsome volume introduces Pietism to a new generation.

Msgr. Stephen Rossetti—acclaimed expert on religious and clergy—has developed ten fundamental building blocks for priestly holiness, reminding his readers that the priest is a man who is full of God and full of joy. The Ten Steps to Priestly Holiness Cease any serious sin Renew the Sacrament of Penance in ourselves and in those we serve Pray more Dive deeply into the Eucharist Nourish good friendships, especially with priests Love the Church; love your bishop Practice gratitude Embrace your crosses Relax and trust Abandon yourself to God

A new study by Msgr. Stephen J. Rossetti—a licensed psychologist and research professor who has studied the American priesthood for thirty years—found that an overwhelming majority of American Catholic priests say that they are happy, like their work, and have vibrant spiritual lives. As Rossetti’s capstone to thirty years of studying the Catholic priesthood in the United States, Priesthood in a Time of Crisis is an indispensable tool for bishops and priests, as well as all those charged with the formation and ongoing education of clergy. Rossetti conducted similar studies on the psychological and spiritual well-being of American Catholic priests in 2004 and 2009, the latter of which led to his groundbreaking book Why Priests are Happy. This book includes the most recent findings about the health of priests, what most influences their wellness, and how the Church can ensure their continued well-being. The three studies make up the most comprehensive survey of American priests ever conducted. Rossetti’s research shows Priestly happiness in the United States has been steadily rising for the last few decades and continues to be very high, with 90 percent or more of priests indicating that they strongly agree/agree with the statement, “Overall, I am happy as a priest.” Priests very much like doing what they do, resulting in high job satisfaction. More priests are engaging in traditional spiritual practices—including praying the Liturgy of the Hours and spending at least thirty minutes each day in private prayer—than they reported a decade ago. Support for celibacy among priests remains high and is rising, with more priests professing to have a positive experience of celibacy, from 75 percent in 2009 to 82 percent in 2021. Mental wellness of priests remains high despite some signs of distress and depression, particularly during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Priests report they are disappointed in Church leaders for their failures in handling abuse cases. Rossetti explains that the most crucial indicators of a priest’s psychological and spiritual wellbeing are loneliness, self-esteem, relationship to his bishop, compassion satisfaction, childhood trauma, traditional spirituality, priestly fraternity, sexual conflicts, and his intimacy with God.

This is the first book in English on priesthood in religious life to be published in twenty years. Its fourteen contributors search for new ways forward in the understanding of the distinct identity and ministry of religious men—committed to community, the prophetic lifestyle of vows or promises, and the particular charisms of their congregations—who have also answered the call to priesthood. Essays in this collection include reflections from a bishop, from the perspective of a lay theologian, from an expert in the social sciences, and on Pope Francis’s teachings on priesthood. Included as well are essays that are rooted in particular cultural traditions, in spirituality, and in canon law.

Hans Urs von Balthasar's writings have pastoral implications that even now are barely recognized and hardly developed. Here a pastorally experienced theologian, who knew von Balthasar personally, unfolds this pastoral dimension for the first time. Father Dermot Power demonstrates the paradoxical grandeur and weakness of the Catholic priesthood. He highlights the roles of the Catholic priest as servant, bridegroom, shepherd, victim, teacher, prophet, celebrant, and minister of reconciliation. He explores the relationship between the mission of Christ and the states of life within the Church, including the laity, and that between the universal call to holiness and the priestly vocation. He examines the structures of the Church in relation to the inwardness of love, and the new hope it offers for the renewal of the priesthood in the Catholic Church. Dermot Power is Chaplain of St. Mary's School, Ascot. He lectures widely and leads retreats and workshops for priests. "Power's book on priesthood is so eminently worth reading, because it deliberately attempts to draw upon the work of von Balthasar in trying to show us how the reality of the priesthood remains rooted in Jesus Christ."--Crisis "A timely, profound and enriching reflection on the priesthood which brings together theology, spirituality, and personal experience in an invigorating way."--Msgr. Keith Barltrop "This illuminating book deserves to become a classic and should be on the shelves of every priest."--Prof. John Saward " The book] makes an invaluable, deeply theological contribution to our understanding of priesthood today."--Bishop James O'Brien "Father Power gives us . . . a great gift: a practical, simple, and profound spiritual theology of the priesthood. The spirituality here helps us to live our priesthood as well as to understand it better."--Robert Faricy, S.J. "This close examination of von Balthasar's theology reveals what lies at the very heart of the priesthood and offers a spirituality to match it."--Lavinia Byrne, I.B.V.M. "For those who have kept up with recent Vatican documents on priestly life and ministry, the hand of von Balthasar will be readily recognizable. . . . This book belongs in every priest's library."--Homiletic and Pastoral Review CONTENTS Foreword by Robert Faricy, S.J. Preface Introduction I. The Ministerial Priesthood in the Light of the Mystery of Christ 2. Jesus: Priest and Victim 3. The Ministerial Priesthood and its Ecclesial Setting 4. Interiority and Mission 5. Priesthood as a State of Life: The Evangelical Counsels and the Radicalism of the Gospel 6. The Ministerial Priesthood: Its Classical Modes of Ministry and Presence within the Church 7. The Dynamic of Tradition Conclusion