Title: Those Mysterious Priests  Author: Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen  ISBN: 0-8189-0978-1  Paperback: xiv + 349 pp.  Price: $19.95 + shipping  To Order call: 1 800-343-ALBA (2522) Please have your Master, Visa or American Express card ready. To order online click here.

In this penetrating book written some five years before his death, Sheen explores the duality inherent in the vocation of the modern-day priest: his need to feel, like Christ, the holiness of God that binds him to the Father; and at the same time his need to become a victim, like Christ, for the world's sins. He talks of the priest's role in continuing the incarnation, the passion and the resurrection of Christ; the need for a sense of humor in the priest who must be in the world but not of it; the frustrations he can expect to encounter in the priesthood; Mary as mother and model of the lonely, obedient and chaste priest; the indispensable role of the Holy Hour in the spiritual growth and happiness of the priest. Written with the liveliness, wit and spiritual insight that continue to endear Sheen to millions, Those Mysterious Priests emphasizes the sense of oblation and spirituality that is such an essential part of any effective priesthood in the world today. Once again, Sheen proves himself to be a truly prophetic voice for our times.

 

Role model and ideal of many priests, the Servant of God, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979) established himself long ago as the foremost spokesman for the Catholic Church in America and one of its most prolific writers. The last few years of his life were dedicated to preaching retreats to priests and promoting the daily Holy Hour of adoration as the key to their own sanctification and effectiveness in the priesthood. This work is a veritable treasure of wisdom and insight into the nature and practice of the priesthood as also exemplified in the life of the author himself, whose cause for canonization has been introduced in Rome. Reviews Servant of God Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979) was a pioneer in Catholic radio and television broadcasting, with an audience in the millions. The liveliness, wit and wisdom that made him so popular in those settings made him an endearing writer as well; his books are perennial favorites. In these penetrating essays, the archbishop explores the "mystery" of the priestly vocation, which calls men to "lead a double life, at once both human and divine." Some of the more provocative chapter titles include: "Psychotic and Neurotic Priests," "The Glumness and the Humor of Priests," "The Lord and Frustrated Priests." In illuminating the priesthood, this classic -- written for priests and laity alike -- shines light as well on the Church in our times." --The Catholic Answer Sheen's wisdom revisited: Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen spent the last few years of his life dedicated to preaching retreats to priests and promoting the daily Holy Hour of Adoration as key to their sanctification and effectiveness. Alba House has released Those Mysterious Priests written about five years before his 1979 death. In the book, Sheen explores the duality of the vocation of the modern-day priest: Be human and be divine. He covers a wide range of topics that should ring clear and true to all priests: The priest's role in continuing the incarnation, the passion and resurrection of Christ; the need for a sense of humor in the priest who must be in the world but not of it; frustrations of the priesthood; Mary as the mother of all priests and model of the lonely, obedient and chaste priest; and the indispensable role of the Holy Hour in the spiritual growth and happiness of the priest. His commitment, intelligence and wit are clear in each page -- he speaks very clearly for priest and to priests." --Crux of the News, December 12, 2005 Top of Page