SPIRITUAL LIVES OF PRIESTS, THE

Challenging his listeners to truly take to heart the praying of the Office, visits to the Blessed Sacrament, and daily meditation, Fr. Rossetti outlines the importance of the spiritual life for the priest in active ministry. Drawing upon his experiences as a priest who has dedicated much of his ministry to helping both priests and religious, he outlines the need for a vibrant practical spirituality and he tell of the pitfalls that might sap a priest of his faith and rob him of the joy that should be n essential part of ministry. He outlines how priests can learn to devour the scriptures, to be emerged in the word of God and be able to deliver that word to a world that is hungry for it. He realizes the difficulties faced by the Church in a time of declining numbers of priests, public scandals and increasing demands on the priests to meet the needs of the people of God. Yet, it is the spirituality that makes a loving, chaste and dynamic ministry possible. A priest can delegate almost all parts of his administration but can never delegate his own relationship with Jesus to another. This is the sine qua non of the priestly life. To be holy and to be faithful. The people of God deserve and expect this of the men who are consecrated to God’s service.

Produced in collaboration with the National Institute for Clergy Formation of Seton Hall University.