Helpful Books for Discernment

The Priest is not his Own

In this book, Venerable Fulton Sheen gives a thorough analysis of the Old and New Testament roots of the priesthood along with a number of keen insights into the nature of priesthood.

In addition to a Scriptural outline of priesthood, Sheen also gives practical spiritual advice to priests. His chapter on making a Holy Hour is perhaps one of the best in the book. This book should be at the top of the list of any man discerning a priestly vocation.

Priests for the third MILLENNIUM

Cardinal Dolan offers a lot of practical insights in this text by drawing upon his own personal experience as a priest. He does not shy away from speaking candidly about some of the diocesan scandals he had to face as a bishop in Milwaukee.

These stories help shed light on the current challenges priests face, but they also serve as a lead in to Dolan’s extensive analysis of the nature and theology of priesthood. By the end of this book you will have learned what it takes to be a priest for the third millennium.

Why Celibacy: Reclaiming the fatherhood of the priest

“The Church today demands a profound renewal of celibate priesthood and the fatherhood to which it is ordered.” Priestly celibacy, some say, is an outdated relic from another age. Others see it as a lonely way of life.

But as Fr. Carter Griffin argues in Why Celibacy?: Reclaiming the Fatherhood of the Priest, the ancient practice of celibacy, when lived well, helps a priest exercise his spiritual fatherhood joyfully and fruitfully.

Many Are Called

In Many Are Called, Dr. Hahn encourages Catholics around the world to renew their focus on the sacred role of the Catholic priest. He examines the biblical and historical roots of the priesthood to explain the centrality of the priest in the life of the Church.

To Save a Thousand Souls

To Save a Thousand Souls is the definitive guide for men considering the priesthood. Using powerful and entertaining stories, this easy-to-read book explains how to carefully discover God’s call. To Save a Thousand Souls is used by hundreds of dioceses and thousands of seminarians. Many regard it as the standard “catechism for discernment,” with Bishop Robert Barron calling is a “classic of the genre."

Discernment Do’s and Don’ts

Written in a clear, youthful style, Discernment Do’s and Don’ts helps teens and young adults cut through the clutter to prayerfully discern God’s will.

College chaplain, tech apostle, and parish priest Fr. George Elliott shows how to navigate seven different stages of the discernment process. At each stage, he offers one best practice (the Do’s) and one pitfall (the Don’ts).