Book review: Priesthood: A life open to Christ, Daniel P. Cronin, St Paul’s (2009)

To mark the 150th anniversary of the death of St Jean-Marie Vianney, patron saint of parish priests, Pope Benedict XVI has dedicated 2009/10 as the Year of Priests. To officially open this special year Archbishop Vincent celebrated Mass at Westminster Cathedral on 19 June, and afterwards officially launched Canon Cronin’s book.

Priesthood: a life open to Christ is a collection of 78 reflections on the priesthood, written by a diverse gathering of priests. Two Popes, several bishops (including our own Archbishop and auxiliaries), not to mention a few Cardinals (amongst them Cardinals Murphy-O’Connor and Basil Hume) are represented in the pages of this book! How wonderful, though, it was to read the reflections of several priests who make up the current priesthood, and who live and minister in parishes, colleges, monasteries, prisons, hospitals, and homes up and down the country. There are powerful insights into the role of the priest in these pages - fresh and interesting perceptions on the vocation to serve God’s People. Theologians and scholars bring their knowledge and learning, whilst pastors and chaplains bring a special form of wisdom, gained through the love they so obviously bear those they have been called to, and have chosen to, lead, heal and encourage.

Reading Priesthood one cannot but notice how many different types of men make up the presbyterate! Not one contribution is the same, even if general themes run throughout. The contributors have usually written short pieces (of usually no more than two pages) on their experiences of being a priest. Some have obviously written especially for this publication, whilst others have allowed previous homilies or speeches to be used. One poet-priest, Fr Paul Murray OP, conveyed his ideas in a profound and simple poem. Many of the Bishops reflect intellectually or in a homiletic way on what it means to be a priest – maybe directing their words to their priests, as, after all, it is they who might gain the most from a book like this? The scholarly input of Fr Gerald O’Collins SJ, is very accessible and provides simple catechesis, as when he reminds us that “only the invisible Christ is the true priest; the others, while visible, are only his ministers” (paraphrasing Aquinas). Most of us warm to stories, and there are a few contained in this collection. One, (entitled “Being a Priest is about Serving Amazing People”, by Fr Peter-Michael Scott) above all others for me spoke with great force in its gentleness about the special vocation and privilege of priesthood. It is the story of how this wonderful man accompanied a little 8 year-old girl and her family as she faced death. If ever a man is considering a vocation to the priesthood I encourage him to read this story – no commentary is needed, it is beautiful, and covers priestly theology and sacramental life in the most profound way without ever mentioning them.

It was good to read reflections by those whom I have met over the years. The first contribution in the book is by the deaf-blind priest Fr Cyril Axelrod (whom I have been blessed to meet a few times). In it he speaks of the hope and joy he feels, even amidst his difficulties, by being touched by God: “I place my hands on [the host] and it signifies my touch on God within my darkness. It is like a stone turning over, turning my inner conflict to inner peace.” Another man whose ministry I greatly admire, is Mgr Malachy Keegan. He writes about his work in prisons, a place where Grace comes frequently “because the good Lord resides in our prisons and waits there for those moments of trust…which enable him to embrace us in love.” It was good to read Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP, who writes honestly about his doubts prior to ordination, manifested by distrust of “clericalism”. He “finally came to love [his] priesthood in the confessional box.” It is there, he says (and it is a sentiment scattered throughout this book), that the priest is closest to his people just “when they feel farthest away from God.” Others, too, mention the graces felt by the priest as he ministers God’s love to the penitent – no wonder, then, that St Jean-Marie Vianney spent so much time as confessor!

Daniel Cronin writes that this book has been designed that it may be dipped into, rather than read cover to cover. It is not something to be rushed through. This collection of meditations, commentaries and stories should be used slowly and reflectively – or prayerfully. It will prove invaluable to the priest wanting to connect or reconnect to the deeper meanings and joys of ministry. It is to be highly recommended to the seminarian, or those discerning a vocation to priesthood, and it would be wonderful to buy this book as a gift to those we might know currently contemplating becoming priests. Lay people, too, will find this book such a joy – it affirms in us the gratitude for those men who serve us so well! Canon Cronin himself suggests at the end of his contribution that it might “…be a kindness to have a Mass said for the intentions of your own parish priest.” After reading this book, I agree!