Spiritual Husbands-Spiritual Fathers: Priestly Formation for the 21st Century

by Felipe Estévez, Andrew H. Cozzens (Editor)

In Spiritual Husbands-Spiritual Priestly Formation for the 21st Century, Bishops Estévez and Cozzens fulfill a desire of the Church expressed in the 2016 Ratio Fundamentalis and the Program for Priestly Formation, 6th edition, in delivering an in-depth spiritual and psychological resource that engenders affective maturity and fruitful chaste celibacy for a renewal of priestly formation. The materials made available in this book will assist seminary formators in providing an integral formation that takes into account the human and spiritual needs of candidates being formed for the Catholic priesthood and help them determine if those candidates are capable of living the fullness of self-gift required by celibacy and how to form them deeply in that self-gift. As a result, this book provides nothing short of a tour de force for contemporary Catholic priestly formation. -- “Spiritual Husbands – Spiritual Fathers is a profound contribution to the Church and should be priority reading for all bishops as essential ongoing episcopal formation! This collection of resources, edited by Bishop Estévez and Bishop Cozzens, provides an essential presentation of celibacy and a practical guide for all who are entrusted with the work of seminary formation. The understanding of priestly celibacy richly developed in these articles is a unique resource in the Church for seminary formators, bishops and clergy, as well. Spiritual Husbands – Spiritual Fathers will be highly referenced in the work of priestly formation for generations to come.” — Bishop Joseph Hanefeldt, Diocese of Grand Island, Nebraska “We often look to the priests as ‘Spiritual Fathers’ and rarely as ‘Spiritual Husbands.’ It is an interesting and encompassing approach deep rooted in patristic theology with the aim of preparing today’s seminarians affectionately, intellectually, pastorally, and spiritually to assume that role of giving themselves to the Church (husbands) and to the people (fathers).” — Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles “Both Bishops Estévez and Cozzens, as well as the other contributors to this book, have extensive seminary and clergy formation backgrounds, and offer many helpful insights for both formators and discerners alike. The authors offer balanced, yet nuanced, perspectives into helping our future priests understand themselves as chaste, celibate, spiritual fathers, and bridegrooms of the Church. The articles contained herein will aid in the formation of healthy and wholesome men who are able to become, for the people of God, self-gift through self-knowledge and healing. After almost a dozen years as a seminary formator, I find this book a helpful contribution to my work with insights to which I will often return for further prayer and reflection.” — Bishop-Elect David L.Toups, S.Th.D., former Rector/President, St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach, Florida, preparing on August 21, 2020, to be installed as Bishop of the Diocese of Beaumont, Texas “The call of each Christian disciple is to make a sincere gift of self in love and sacrifice for the good of the other. For the priest, this is happens in a special way through the charism of chaste celibacy, where he is configured to Christ the Bridegroom in His love for the Church. This book will aid seminary formators in their task to assist seminarians in receiving this precious gift and equipping them to live it out for the rest of their days in joyful service to the Church.” — Fr. Joseph C. Taphorn, JCL, Rector, The Saint Paul Seminary, Saint Paul, Minnesota

617 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 13, 2020