The Amazing Gift Of The Priesthood

During his lifetime on earth Jesus was not regarded as a priest. How then is he the pioneer and author of the Christian priesthood? What is the difference between the common priesthood and the ministerial priesthood? Why is the priesthood the highest vocation? Can the Church exist without the priesthood? Why is there scarcity of priestly vocations in some parts of the world today? Why do Catholic priests not marry? These questions and many others are answered in The Amazing Gift of the Priesthood which grew out of the several retreats given by Rev. Kieran C. Okoro to various groups of priests, deacons, seminarians and lay Christians. Very inspirational, The Amazing Gift of the Priesthood is a spiritual classic for the clergy, religious and lay Christians, which keeps the reader engaged throughout.

"Rekindle the gift of God that is within you", Saint Paul urges Timothy years after his ordination (2 Tim 1:6). Drawing on sixty years of experience as a Catholic priest, Cistercian Fr. Roch Kereszty provides realistic spiritual, psychological, and pastoral guidance to priests and seminarians—from preaching and sacramental ministry, to parish life and spiritual direction, to chastity and poverty. Countless priests struggle to understand their role and identity in the post-conciliar Church, where laypeople have taken on many responsibilities once considered priestly. With the sexual abuse crisis kicking up a cloud of confusion and discouragement, many young men are wondering, "Why join a system in which everyone is suspect?" Meanwhile, without the right guidance, those already ordained can find themselves slipping into boredom—or even cynicism. But Fr. Kereszty knows the fire of a true vocation. With insights and examples from St. Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and many others, Rekindle the Gift of God helps priests and seminarians discover or rediscover their mission as shepherds, prophets, and teachers. A happy priest is one who lays down his life not only for his flock, but for his Lord. Father Kereszty gives patient, down-to-earth counsel on putting this ideal into practice, and he offers a glimpse of his own immense joy and gratitude for the gift of serving Jesus Christ.

"......the hour is coming, in fact has come, when the vocation of woman is being achieved in all its fullness..." as Vatican II affirmed. In this work, a woman speaks to women simply, warmly, humbly........ [from back cover.]

In The Unchanging Heart of the Priesthood, Father Thomas Acklin presents an apologetic for that which is immutable?that which cannot change since it is found in the unchanging heart of Christ. Father Acklin refutes modern misconceptions and false understandings of the priesthood, while uncovering the beauty, strength, and hope that is found in God's plan. This book will encourage the heart of every priest and help the laity to understand and appreciate the reality and mystery of the priesthood in the Church. In The Unchanging Heart of the Priesthood Father Thomas Acklin presents an apologetic for the immutability of the priesthood?that which cannot change since it is found in the unchanging heart of Christ. Father Acklin refutes modern misconceptions, while uncovering the beauty, strength, and hope that is found in God's plan, bringing the reader to an appreciation of the reality and mystery of the priesthood in the Church.

"In Gift and Mystery we read 'For every priest, in every age, the greatest task is each day to discover his own priestly "today" in the "today" of Christ.' John Paul II understands that the event of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ in world history continues daily in a special way in the priestly brotherhood of those who have been chosen to follow in his footsteps--and indeed in every man and woman, all called through the gift of faith to a life of holiness. In concluding Gift and Mystery, the pope writes to his brother priests, 'Learn to see in your priesthood the Gospel treasure for which it is worth giving up everything.' Surely in the life of this pope we see an extraordinary example of someone who has treasured the gift of his priestly ministry for more than fifty years." - From the foreword of Carl A. Anderson, Supreme Knight, Knights of Columbus

A Study Guide and a Teacher’s Manual Gospel Principles was written both as a personal study guide and as a teacher’s manual. As you study it, seeking the Spirit of the Lord, you can grow in your understanding and testimony of God the Father, Jesus Christand His Atonement, and the Restoration of the gospel. You can find answers to life’s questions, gain an assurance of your purpose and self-worth, and face personal and family challenges with faith.

Thirty priests, both well known and not, answer the questions why they are a priest and why they are still a priest today, revealing much about themselves and the general state of the priesthood.