Stewards of God's Mysteries: Priestly Spirituality in a Changing Church [Paperback]

Paul J. Philibert (Author), Melvin Blanchette (Author), Daniel E. Danielson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2004

Priests are stewards of God’s mysteries. They teach these mysteries as merciful revelation, celebrate them in the liturgy, invoke them as healing and pardon, and above all, live them as the deepest meaning of their own lives. But it is one mystery—the paschal mystery of Jesus Christ—that shapes and sustains priests’ spiritual lives.

Stewards of God’s Mysteries considers how priests participate in the dying and rising of their Lord through challenges and joys that are rooted in our changing culture, in the growing diversity of our Catholic world, and in the demands of their own ministry. Designed as a study text addressing the life of both diocesan and religious clergy, these pages contain reflection questions for priests and clergy study groups to help them experience deeper joy in their lives and ministry.

Chapters include "The Cultural Context for Ordained Ministry Today," "Christ’s Priesthood Lived Through the Paschal Mystery," "The Shape of Ordained Ministry Today," "Transformation Through Discipleship," "The Practices of the Spiritual Life," and "A Fresh Call to Renewal."

Editorial Reviews

Review

A thoughtful reading of these essays is like taking part in a retreat—a nourishing and energizing retreat. -- Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of Cincinnati

Puts the recent abuse scandal in perspective for US Priests as sharing in the mystery of Christ's dying and rising. -- George Niederauer, Bishop of Salt Lake City

This spirituality pays attention to the practices which contribute to a robust and sustainable spiritual life. -- Susan K. Wood, S.C.L., Professor of Theology and Associate Dean, Saint John’s University, School of Theology*Seminary, Collegeville, Minnesota

This volume was constructed as a study document for priest study groups, and it will serve wonderfully. -- Dr. Dean Hoge, Professor of Sociology, Catholic University of America

Product Details

• Paperback: 87 pages
• Publisher: Liturgical Press (April 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814629768
• ISBN-13: 978-0814629765
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,111,808 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #19 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Clergy > General
  • #71 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Clergy > Pastoral Counseling

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars STEWARDS OF THE GOD'S MYSTERIES, June 2, 2008

By 

A. W. R. Sipe "A.W.R.SIPE" (La Jolla, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Stewards of God's Mysteries: Priestly Spirituality in a Changing Church (Paperback)

The object of this study is exemplary--to help Catholic priests develop and sustain a spiritual depth sufficient to struggle valiantly with the rigorous demands inflicted by their service to humanity. The demands are undeniable; the priest shortage, overwork, societal challenges of a consumer driven attitudes, shifting demographics that disrupt or destroy the traditions of parochial stability, loneliness, the requirements of sustaining celibacy, and more.

Two of the three main authors are dedicated and devote priests, gay oriented scholars, who pool their theological and psychological expertise to build on the remarkable and durable document The Spiritual Renewal of the American Priesthood issued by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1973.

Skillfully they draw on some the most profound sources of reflection on the priesthood written since that study came out--Ray Brown from a biblical perspective, Philip Murnion and Dean Hoge with sociological insight, numerous pronouncements of the US bishops and recent popes including encyclicals of Paul VI, Evanglii Nuntiandi and John Paul II, Pastores Dabo Vobis

It is written in a form intended to foster discussion and perhaps it succeeded. It has been my experience that just getting priests together to talk about serious personal and spiritual issues can be productive. But the book is self-defeating in three respects. It veers to the "mystagogical dimension of priesthood and celibacy" that is--the unreasonable, unnatural, and excessive. (P.54) Rather than making priesthood and celibacy more understandable, reasonable, and naturally attainable and within the reach of dedicated men, it casts them into the ethereal realm of dream, an area of the mind vulnerable to discouragement and defeat. It perpetuates the myth that priests are "like angels," an attitude inimical to the meaning of practical priestly service and one infectious with clericalism.

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1.0 out of 5 stars off center, January 1, 2012

By 

Casper (Calais, Maine) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stewards of God's Mysteries: Priestly Spirituality in a Changing Church (Paperback)

Unfortunately, the book is as Sipe says in his critical review but further it misses the point that we are now in a new coveant that is not clerically centered. The new covenant is Jer 31.31...the priesthood was pulverised because of its egregious sinful ways and breaking of the covenant so much so that God "divorced" the former covenant-makers and promised a new. The new is not clerically centered...the cov meal being only one element. Two thousand years of this heresy and its likewise egregious acts ought to demonstrate to the world that each baptised christian is The tabernacle of the Living God Who in glory to the Father in Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit is the new church devoid of all this trumped up clerical garbage frosted with gooey mystical language that is more pertinent to each and every christian rather than an exclusive group of individuals wrapped in princely robe, dressed like mother and wanting to be called father.

5.0 out of 5 stars AN INTERESTING UPDATING OF 1973 RESEARCH ON PRIESTLY SPIRITUALITY, October 28, 2010

By 

Steven H. Propp (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stewards of God's Mysteries: Priestly Spirituality in a Changing Church (Paperback)

This 2004 book begins by stating, "It is now thirty years since the publication of 'The Spiritual Renewal of the American Priesthood' by the NCCB. The National Council of Priests' Councils (NFPC), which partnered with the NCCB in writing the 1973 document, decided a few years back to prepare a thirty-year follow-up study to assess changes in ecclesial and ministerial life and their impact on priests and their spiritual livs." (Pg. 3)

They note, "A second strong concern of priests discovered by the research was the extent of loneliness felt by the priests in the survey--most notably among the recently ordained. They feel overshadowed, underprepared, and very much alone." (Pg. 56)

They conclude on the note, "This study is a fresh call to renewal for American priests. Never before has our ministry been more critical or the potential for our effectiveness greater. Serving as a priest---including the acceptance of the comprehensive complex of roles that shape our ministry today---is both difficult and immeasurably rewarding." (Pg. 84)