Priests
A Man for All Seasons: Father Jan Januszewski
Richard C. Lukas Comments Off on A Man for All Seasons: Father Jan Januszewski
Twenty years after I had interviewed Father Jan Januszewski for a book I was writing on Polish survivors of the German occupation of Poland, I visited St. Justin the Martyr, the church that he had pastored for many years in Key Largo, Florida. When I entered the vestibule of the church, I saw his photograph Read More
What Can Priests Do to Encourage More Vocations?
Father Daniel J. Schmitmeyer Comments Off on What Can Priests Do to Encourage More Vocations?
As director of vocations for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for the past 10 years, I have tried nearly every program, event and suggestion offered to me to help encourage more men to prayerfully discern a vocation to the priesthood. What I have found makes the biggest difference and helps the most is prayer. This includes Read More
Modeling the Easter Jesus
Bishop David J. Bonnar Comments Off on Modeling the Easter Jesus
One of my favorite theological professors was the Australian Jesuit Father Gerald O’Collins. For many years Father O’Collins taught fundamental theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. As a theologian, he authored many books, including “The Easter Jesus” (Longman & Todd). Every Easter I am reminded of this book, the title of which serves Read More
World War II and Post-War Years
Father Robert J. Hater Comments Off on World War II and Post-War Years
The name change from The Acolyte to The Priest magazine was announced in December 1944, during the height of World War II. The U.S. involvement in the war started with the bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. I learned of this attack when our family was at the Famous Glass Barn in Cincinnati. Read More
‘What Are You Looking For?’
Father Ronald Patrick Raab Comments Off on ‘What Are You Looking For?’
In January, on the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, we listen to Jesus in John’s Gospel ask us a very familiar question, “What are you looking for?” This question, from the divine, is anything but ordinary. It services as a spiritual touchstone for us priests and leaders. This wellspring of grace is poured out to Read More
Beauty and the Priest
Father Carter Griffin Comments Off on Beauty and the Priest
It was toward the end of a Sunday Mass at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary when the schola cantorum sang Mozart’s “Ave Verum Corpus.” Sitting among the concelebrants was the late Father Robert Zylla, OSC, a model of prayer, joy and wisdom for the young men like me in that chapel. His head was lowered in Read More
Are You Hard to Help?
Daniel Cellucci Comments Off on Are You Hard to Help?
The answer is yes. It’s not just you, Fathers. All of us make it hard for others to help us sometimes. The better question may be, “In what ways am I hard to help?” Your role is increasingly demanding as you lead against a current. Sometimes, the greatest resistance comes from your own community as Read More
John the Baptist’s Example for Priests
Father Ronald D. Witherup Comments Off on John the Baptist’s Example for Priests
Every priest knows that John the Baptist is a major figure in the liturgical season of Advent. He is hard to miss. A dominant image in all four canonical Gospels, John looms large in the story of Jesus of Nazareth, primarily because of his important role as the forerunner of the Messiah. Yet we can Read More