About Being a Priest

by Federico Suárez

This book is a forceful presentation of the daily life and duties of a priest. It combines theological insight - heavily based on Sacred Scripture - along with experience and practical advice. Covering wide-ranging topics from effective preaching to intellectual growth, mortification, the spirit of poverty, and friendship with other priests, Father Suarez shows in practical terms how the priest can be true to his vocation. A very useful and inspiring book for priests both young and old, as well as seminarians, and those men considering a vocation to the priesthood.

219 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Bo Majors · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having had a priest who was a member of Opus Dei while I was a seminarian in Rome, I deeply appreciate their spirit to which this book is faithful. It combines a good theological summation of the ministerial priesthood couples with good practical advice. The is the first time I have written a review of this book, but while the author was still alive and living in Spain, I sent him a letter about how much I enjoyed the letter, and I received a letter written by hand in return. I was shocked. Suarez, throughout the book speaks about the virtues that a priest is to have to be able to engage others to win them for Christ. The priest is to never measure his success as a priest using worldly standards, but rather be ready to bear the cross at all costs. As always, as a priest of Opus Dei, he speaks about the dangers of clericalism, which boils down not to a love of the priesthood, but being “lazy” and living off of the flock as the prophet Ezekiel says. He says of a priest’s formation, that it cannot be just intellectual but has to be one of virtue and good sound mental ability as well. Serene, self-confidence, stamina and patience, truthful, free of complexes, realistic and objective. He cannot be downcast by failure or conceited regarding success. The priest has to be tenacious and resolute, strong and firm, industriousness and social. The priest in his pastoral training needs to also learn well the art of spiritaul direction and supernatural familiarity with one’s own spiritual life to have an understanding to hep others. The priest must have recreation and leisure to the extent it refreshes him to return to his apostolic work. He also must develop an apostolic method or technique that works. He gives a supreme importance to prayer, order and a plan of life which is such an important part of Josemaria Escriva’s spirituality. He gives practical advice by which a priest can order his day. He also speaks of the contemplative dimension of the secular priest to live in a spirit of recollection at all times. In the last chapter, he gives a beautiful summation of the life of the priest. I have read many books on the spirituality of the priest, and this is by far the best. It is not up in the clouds, but practical and profound. It is one of the few books I find myself reading each and every year. I am disappointed that Scepter no longer publishes it, and have been meaning to contact them to inquire as to why it is no longer published. If I was on the faculty of a major seminary, I would have every seminarian read this in formation.