Customer Reviews

Extraordinary Lives: Thirty-Four Priests Tell Their Stories

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The text is very honest and encouraging. Was recommended to me by a Roman Catholic priest. The book makes life as a priest sounds exciting. Lots of good advice for discernment and life in general from first hand experience. Shows that obedience and celibacy are blessings to welcome. I most definitly agree with the publisher's review. It offers reasons to become a priest and reasons to stay a priest. As a young man myself, it offers an appealing alternitive lifestyle. Only complaint: there were no "simple" parish priests. All were truly extraordinary, as the title implies, however, I would have liked to read about a priest who is happy with one role in the Church - pastor of a parish without the additional responsibilities of vicar, vocations director, etc. However, it does remind us that priests are called to fill multiple roles in the Church at one time. Truly an uplifiting book and definitly recommended for anyone who wants to understand the Priestly ministry more fully. Example advice from the text: If you are too busy to pray, you are too busy. I know that is advice I need to follow. I hope for similar books in the future.

A very inspirational account of men who are happy with their vocation to the Roman Catholic priesthood. It is a welcome breath of fresh air in contrast to so many other books which proclaim priesthood in a negative light (and wrongly so!). In this book you will encounter men who have struggled, men who have had fascinating experiences, men who have rejoiced, both young and old. I would recommend this book for any priest, seminarian, or for anyone considerding a vocation to the priesthood, as well as for those who feel that priesthood is dead! It is not! Read about these extraordinary lives!

If you have come to believe the Catholic Priesthood is about to become part of the dustbin of history, then reading this book may cause you to think again. This is a refreshing and inspiring look at 33 men who are living lives that are personally satisfying and which bring a dimension of service to the world which is diffferent from any other. Particularly interesting are the differing, yet singular threads which run through the stories related. This is well worth reading.

In the Preface to this 1997 book, the authors write, "No one disputes that the Catholic priesthod is in a state of crisis, but many disagree with gloomy predictions of some that the priesthood as we know it is ending.... The crisis facing the priesthood can lead in either direction ("Danger" or "Opportunity"), and judging from the wonderful men whose stories are told in this book, it seems more likely that the shortage of priests presents us with an opportunity for growth, for change, and for a breakthrough in the work of bringing about God's kingdom." "We, the authors of this book ... believe that it would be worthwhile to explore in greater detail what happy priests think about their vocation. We believe that such a work will be useful particularly for men who may be thinking about a vocation to the priesthood, as well as for those parents, priests, religious, and others who might be able to support and influence such choices and to reaffirm priests already laboring in the vineyard."

Here are some quotations from the book:

"I have read some of the discussions about approving the concept of temporary priesthood. Actually, we are doing that right now with the laicization of clergy. Still, there is a great value for society in the permanent commitment made by priests and married couples. I do think it is an issue that needs study, discussion, and prayer, if we are to solve the priest shortage problem." (Pg. 19-20)
"There were times when I thought of packing my bags and leaving. Most of my classmates left. Some of them write and say they are not happy. It is sad to see how they are floundering. One of the problems I see in bringing married priests back into active service is this: so many of those who left are elderly. The youngsters of a parish need a younger priest with whom they can relate." (Pg. 103)
"I predict that the Church of the future will be lay-oriented, one of shared and collaborative ministry. Communication from the top on down will disappear; that the Church will be far more grounded in baptism and charism rather than in ordination and office." (Pg. 111)
"The stories in this book lend no credence to the negative comments splashed about in the secular and Catholic media... The interviewed priests are proud of the work that they do... They believe the teachings of the Church. They repeatedly maintain that what they do contributes to the peace and salvation of those whom they touch. And they are quick to recommend their life to others, the ultimate measure of job satisfaction." (Pg. 269)

I have read this before and have obtained more copies to share with men that may want to consider becoming a Catholic Priest.