Book List for Catholic Seminarians and Priests

Recommended Formation Reading

by Fr. Gary Coulter

These book are recommended to help enhance the formation of Catholic seminarians and ongoing formation of Catholic Priests. But let's be honest: many Catholics have found this list helpful who aren't priests or seminarians.
Other Papal and Magisterial Documents for Priestly Formation

Internet Exclusives Other Online Books Other Internet Sites Some short Book Reviews Priestly Sanctity Don't Have Time to Read?

Essentials Priestly Spirituality (Recent Books) Priesthood Clerical Celibacy and Chastity Saints Biography Classics Spiritual More Spiritual Classics Marian Scripture Confession Conversion Stories Philosophy Liturgy

Intellectual Moral Theology Catechetical Introduction to Theology Life of Christ Meaning of Life History C.S. Lewis Apologetics Fiction Other Spiritual Masters Other Books on the Priesthood Articles

Also see: Books on Apologetics and Intellectual Catholic Books

• The Good Confessor, by Gerald Kelly, S.J.
• The Gospel Priesthood, by Fr. Huber Van Zeller
• Thoughts on the Priesthood, by Archbishop Sheen, Msgr. Knox and Fr. Gillis
• The Priest Devoted to Mary, by St. Joseph Cafasso

• The Pastoral Rule, by Pope St Gregory the Great
• Treatise On The Priesthood, by St. John Chrysostom
• Catechism on the Priesthood, by St. John Vianney

• Catholic Tradition's Directory: Holiness for Priests includes "The Dignity and Duties of the Priest" by St. Alphonsus Ligouri; Tracks by Fr. Garrigou-Lagrange; and other articles.
• Sacerdos Ongoing Priestly Formation
• Vocations Resources from the US Bishops' Conference - great "Fishers of Men" Video program
• TheCatholicPriestToday.com another great video: what is your story?
• Confraternity of Catholic Clergy with annual convocation, quarterly journal, and local chapter meetings.

Forming Fathers: Seminary Wisdom for Every Priest by Fr. Carter Griffin

Why Celibacy?: Reclaiming the Fatherhood of the Priest by Fr. Carter Griffin

Fr. Griffin has been engaged in the formation of seminarians and is now Rector of Saint John Paul II Seminary, in Washington, DC. In Forming Fathers, he has written a second book which should be required reading (or at least a Christmas gift) for every priest and seminarian. Yes, it focuses on the areas needed in the seminary formation of future priests, but priestly formation does not end with ordination. This is a book that can help all priests rejuvenate their spiritual life, gain wisdom and understanding of what it means to be a spiritual father, exercise a joyful priestly ministry, and shepherd with fruitful leadership. An important contribution to the renewal of the priesthood so needed today.

Why Celibacy? offers the Church and her priests a renewed vision of the priest as spiritual father in the order of grace. A book to pause, reflect on and reread. In a time of 'toxic masculinity' he first reclaims fatherhood in general (and natural fathers can benefit from the same insights.) The virtues of natural and spiritual fatherhood are to be present in candidates for the priesthood, along with awareness of divine sonship. Why Celibacy? speaks about celibacy as freedom; celibacy harnessing the power of love, chastity, and authentic friendship; while also directly addressing the challenges of living celibacy.
There are many insights about priestly celibacy as a gift for the priest and the faithful, e.g.: "The life-giving sacrificial dimension of the Eucharist finds and echo in the generative, personal sacrifice of celibacy." All can learn from the celibate witness of priests.

Saint John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation by Father Donald Haggerty

Father Donald Haggerty has written several works on the spiritual life and contemplation, including Contemplative Provocations: Brief, Concentrated Observations on Aspects of a Life with God (2013), The Contemplative Hunger (2016), Conversion: Spiritual Insights into an Essential Encounter with God (2017), and Contemplative Enigmas: Insights and Aid on the Path to Deeper Prayer (2020). Now his new book Saint John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation is an in-depth exploration of the writing of the prolific Spanish mystic, helping us approach the theological richness of the remarkable yet daunting writings of this Carmelite mystic Saint. Fr. Haggerty also provides a kind of bookend summary to his trilogy of "Contemplative" books, all greatly influenced by St. John of the Cross and also by his involvement with the Missionaries of Charity and St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta. As he says, "These books all reflect that essential blending of the contemplative quest for God with an active life lived in the world." Like the passages of St. John of the Cross, all of Fr. Haggerty's works can be read and pondered, again and again, opening profound implications for the life of prayer.

Shepherding the Family of God: The Spirituality of Diocesan Priests In St. John of Avila by Fr. Gustavo Castillo

Diocesan priests are in search of a spirituality (see Fr. Aschenbrenner below) and can gladly and rightly borrow from the rich history and variety of Catholic spirituality. Fr. Gustavo Castillo of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles examines the works of St. John of Avila, proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict in 2012. In his writings we can find a spirituality offered by a diocesan priest for diocesan priests. John of Avila offers an authentic vision of priestly dignity and sanctity. In a time when the personal call to holiness of all Christ's Faithful is emphasized - and rightly so, as proposed by the Second Vatican Council - we must not forget the need for renewal and holiness in the priesthood. John reflects on the different gifts of the priesthood and priestly holiness by considering the triple offices of priest, prophet and king. A good book for diocesan priests to use for meditation and prayer.
This quotation from St. John of Avila’s Treatise On the Priesthood captures some of its essence: "There must be between Christ and the priest a very deep interior friendship, similarity of customs, a love and hatred of the same things, and a love that is so endearing to the point that, from two, there can remain only one."

In Sinu Jesu: When Heart Speaks to Heart -- The Journal of a Priest at Prayer by A Benedictine Monk

The title of this book refers to the powerful image of the apostle John being was so close to the Lord, with his head on his breast (cf. John 13:25). Priests (and everyone) are invited to a renewed awareness of the importance of Eucharistic Adoration, of being Eucharistic priests who spend that intimate time with Our Lord each and every day, praying for priests, praying for their flocks, in reparation for sins against His Eucharistic Heart. This book reinforces one's belief that it is Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, it invites a genuine renewed love for Him there, and invites all: how can we not want to spend time with God? In the sacred Host, he is present, the true treasure, always waiting for us.
I admit some may be put-off by the presentation style of In Sinu Jesu. It records an interior voice of Jesus speaking, perhaps similar in style to St. Fautina in her diary. I make no claim as to whether the Benedictine priest who wrote this actually received private revelation. Because even if it is simply the fruit of his own prayer and devotion, it is still consoling and encouraging to me, a powerful and beautiful expression of Our Lord's thirst to draw us deeper into relationship, for all of us to recline-like the beloved disciple-upon Christ's breast.

Quickening the Fire in Our Midst: The Challenge of Diocesan Priestly Spirituality

In this thoughtful examination of diocesan priestly spirituality, Fr. Aschenbrenner, S.J., distills years of wisdom gained through working with diocesan priests and seminarians to offer hope, inspiration, and encouragement to those discerning and living out a priestly call.
Aschenbrenner explains how diocesan priestly spirituality is beautiful, special, and unlike any other Christian spirituality. He outlines the gifts that define diocesan priests, explores the particular stresses priests face, and points to attitudes and resources that are essential for maintaining or recapturing priestly joy. Most important, he shows how a continuing experience of the love of Jesus can help diocesan priests offer pastoral love to those they serve.

The Unchanging Heart of the Priesthood

Father Ackin presents an apologetic for the priesthood found in the unchanging heart of Christ, refuting modern misconceptions and false understandings of the ministerial priesthood. Subtitled "A Faith Perspective on the Mystery and the Reality of Priesthood in the Church" it strives to uncover the beauty, strength and hope that is found in God's plan for the priesthood. A book of encourgagement for priests and laity alike to understand and appreciate the reality and mystery.

Priestly Identity: A study in the theology of priesthood

"A deep understanding of the theological nature of the priestly ministry is essential if we are to have a clear perception of how this ministry affects the life of the priest, and the way in which its exercise brings about his personal holiness." (Introduction)
This conviction that a deeper awareness will be of much benefit to priests is what led Fr. McGovern to write this book. Faithful to the magisterium and especially the writings of Pope John Paul II, he draws attention to particular aspects of the priestly vocation which are needed to help to define the identity of the priest today. The different chapters of this study are gathered together under three main headings - Theological, Spiritual, and Pastoral.

Christ - The Ideal of the Priest

This 1952 book by Bl. Abbot Marmion, a classic author on the spiritual life, has now been reprinted. It consists of notes from a series of conferences and retreats he gave for priests collected after his death. It is an important book for priests desiring to grow in their knowledge and love of Jesus Christ.
With a short exposition on the priesthood from scripture, he shows why Christ is the model and source of priestly holiness and how the priest is another Christ. Then the majority of the book is devoted to virtues that are necessary for priestly ministry, such as faith, sorrow, humility, prayer, etc. A great inspiration and help for even the busiest priest to find sanctification and perfection in the little things each day.

The Hidden Enemies of the Priesthood: The Contributions of St. Thomas Aquinas

What makes a good priest? In a via negativa, Fr. Cole surveys nine vices through which priests most commonly fall: pride, vainglory, ambition, envy, avarice, gluttony, lust, anger and acedia (spiritual apathy). Then drawing heavily on Thomas Aquinas, he clarifies the nature and operation of each of these vices and shows how each one can ensnare the unwary priest, destroying both his spiritual life and his work.
Of course knowing how not to be bad is not quite the same thing as knowing how to be good. Fortunately Fr. Cole devotes the first three chapters of the book to what a priest is, and what makes a priest good. The first provides an excellent introduction to the nature of the Catholic priesthood according to the clear teachings of the Church. The second emphasizes "the priest as bridegroom and spiritual father". And the third focuses on the proper priestly attitude toward study. These three chapters provide one of the finest introductions to what makes a good priest.
In summary, every priest must be united to Jesus Christ, the High Priest, and must live his entire vocation in persona Christi. This can be accomplished only through prayer - deep and constant prayer which rises to the level of contemplation. All priests must learn to contemplate (i.e. to dispose themselves properly for contemplation), even though most are called to the active ministry.
It is in this context that the life of the priest unfolds, a life of prayer and union which must lie at the heart of the priest's identity as a bridegroom of the Church and a spiritual father to the Church's children. It is also in this context that the priest must wage his continuous battle against those "hidden enemies" - those vices - which occupy the later chapters of the book. (Review thanks to Dr. Jeff Mirus)

• St Benedict, Rule
• St Francis of Assisi, The Earlier Rule, The Later Rule, Canticle to Brother Sun
• St Gregory of Nyssa, Ascetical Works (On Virginity, The Christian Life, Perfection, etc.)
• St Ignatius of Antioch, Letters (and writings of the Church Fathers generally)
• St lgnatius of Loyola, Spiritual Exercises
• St John Bosco, Virtue and Christian Refinement
• John Cassian, Conferences.
• St John Climacus, The Ladder
• St John of the Cross, Ascent of Mount Carmel, Dark Night of the Soul, Living Flame of Love
• St Joseph Cafasso, The Priest the Man of God: His Dignity and His Duties
• St Maximus the Confessor, The Ascetic Life, The Four Centuries on Charity
• St Teresa of Avila, Life (The Book of Her Life), Way of Perfection
• St Vincent de Paul, Spiritual Conferences
• St Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae
• St Alphonsus Ligouri, The Passion and the Death of Jesus Christ, The Glories of Mary
• St Terese of Lisieux, Story of a Soul (Autobiography)
• St. Thomas More

• Manning, Cardinal Henry Edward. Eternal Priesthood, 1931.
• Boylan, Fr. M. Eugene, O.C.R. The Spiritual Life of the Priest, Westminster, Maryland: Newman, 1950.
• Gumbley, Fr. Walter, O.P. Parish Priests Among the Saints: Canonized or Beatified Parish Priests, Westminster, Maryland: Newman, 1947.
• Havey, Fr. Francis. Retreat Companion For Priests, Rockford, Ill.: Tan, 1950.
• Suhard, Emmanuel Cardinal. Priests Among Men, New York, Integrity, 1949.
• Trese, Fr. Leo. Vessel of Clay: A Day in the Life of a Priest, New York, Sheed & Ward, 1950.

• Rev. Mark O'Keefe, O.S.B. has five volumes on the priesthood, such as "In Persona Christi" and "Priestly Wisdom: Insights from St. Benedict"
• Fr. Stephen Rossetti, "The Joy of the Priesthood"
• Cardinal Justin Rigali, "I Call You Friends: The Priesthood: Merciful Love"
• Fr. Michael Heher, "The Lost Art of Walking on Water: Reimagining the Priesthood"
• Fr. Howard Bleichner, "View from the Altar: Reflections on the Rapidly Changing Catholic Priesthood"
• Roderick Strange, "The Risk Of Discipleship"
• Paul Philibert O.P., Melvin Blanchette S.S., Daniel Danielson, "Stewards of God's Mysteries: Priestly Spirituality in a Changing Church"

Former Lutheran Pastor Debunks Women's Ordination (Part 1) (ZENIT)

Former Lutheran Pastor Defends All-Male Priesthood (Part 2) (ZENIT)

Fr. Gary Coulter

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