Priests for the Third Millennium

by Timothy M. Dolan

Archbishop Dolan clearly sets forth what it takes to be a Catholic priest in the Third Millennium. Whether he is stressing the necessity of regular Confession and the need to celebrate daily Mass and say the Liturgy of the Hours or discussing priestly celibacy in frank, realistic terms, he emphasizes true priest identity by presenting a life worth living, a life worth sharing, a life worth offering up to the Father through Christ and in the Holy Spirit. Pastoral, practical, and thoroughly Catholic, Priests for the Third Millennium will renew the joy of being Catholic in the heart of seminarians, priests, and the people they serve.

Genres: Spirituality, Theology, Catholic, Christianity, Religion

334 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2000

About the author

Timothy Michael Dolan (born February 6, 1950) is an American Cardinal prelate of the Catholic Church. Appointed by Pope Benedict XVI, Dolan serves as the tenth and current Archbishop of New York.

Cardinal Dolan served as the President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops from 2010–2013 and was granted the titular position as Cardinal-Priest of Nostra Signora di Guadalupe a Monte Mario (English: Our Lady of Guadalupe of Mount Mario) in Rome.

Dolan is widely known for his conservative values and charismatic media personality. He previously served as Archbishop of Milwaukee from 2002 to 2009, preceded by service as an Auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis from 2001 to 2002. Time Magazine named Dolan one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World" for 2012.

Reviews

[Luis Castellanos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cardinal Dolan does a great job of explaining the role of a priest and the virtues required so they can save souls in this new millennium. An easy read with a lot of value even for people who are just curious about the priesthood or want to live a more virtuous Christian life.

[Serviam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is filled with pearls of wisdom. It provides a solid groundwork for any seminarian learning to live a life of virtue.

[Nathan H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for discernment by Cardinal Dolan. This is definitely not an introductory discernment book, but rather for someone already in Priestly Formation. I most certainly would not have been able to relate to what Cardinal Dolan was saying or understand it if I had tried to read this book before joining the Seminary.

There were a few spots where Cardinal Dolan's Boomer was showing, but it is tough to blame him for this. If you are able to overlook the Boomerisms and certain views of the Church he was formed in during the immediate Post-Conciliar era, it is truly a wonderful spiritual read.

This is a book I have a feeling I will return to throughout Formation and into, God willing, Priesthood.

[Colby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very pragmatic advice and good material for reflection. If you're discerning priesthood, I'd recommend this right alongside To Save 1000 Souls. However the tone that Cardinal Dolan takes is occasionally a bit crass, which I didn't feel was necessary. Nevertheless, I wholeheartedly recommend it

[Peter Davids · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a challenging read. It was not the act of reading that was challenging. The book is a great, interesting read. It was the fact that the content was challenging. The chapters are a series of talks given to seminarians in Rome while Cardinal Dolan (before he was a Cardinal) was rector of the North American College. He goes through the virtues necessary for ministry, the tasks found in ministry, and the spiritual disciplines needed to gain the virtues and accomplish the tasks. Each chapter starts with an issue, analyzes it, and then ends with several spiritual disciplines (or in some case practical steps) for gaining the necessary virtue, accomplishing the necessary task long-term, or remaining in ministry over the long-run. It was a great read. I felt like I had come to know Cardinal Dolan and his heart for ministry. But, more than that, I felt challenged. Who can do this? Certainly I am not worthy. And to that Cardinal Dolan would reply, Good, you now know the most important thing, that this task will be accomplished only through the grace of God, hence the spiritual disciplines.

Now it is quite clear that this book is by a Catholic author for Catholic seminarians and priests. But I wish that Protestant ministers would also read it. First, they would learn that enthusiasm for evangelism, prayers for the Holy Spirit ("Come Holy Spirit"), and the like are not their preserve, but flow just as freely from a Catholic pen. I am sure that Cardinal Dolan and Billy Graham would have warm conversations together (and perhaps have had). In an age when Southern Baptists are seeing a decline in conversions, they would do well to catch fire from Cardinal Dolan's zeal. Second, they would learn that classic Christian spirituality is absolutely necessary for effective ministry. I find that often Protestant seminarians and ministers are not aware of the spiritual treasures that lie in the spiritual disciplines, and then they wonder why they burn out and fail in ministry. Sure, some of this spirituality will be hard for the Protestant reader to adapt to their particular Christian culture, but much of it, indeed, most of it, is universal. Ignore what you do not like, but do so carefully, making sure that you are not ignoring something because it is difficult, for that may be just what one needs.

This is a great book, a must-read for those in church ministry or training for church ministry. I will forever be thankful to the two men who mentioned it in their conversation and so gave me the impulse to purchase and read it.

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although these conferences were given to priests and seminarians this book could have very well be written for the laity. It is a truly wonderful and insightful book. We are to live with faith, hope, love, humility and fidelity, are we not? Not only priests but all of us. The Eucharist is important, vital not only for priests but for the whole catholic community. What about penance? Isn't it the most wonderful opportunity to not only acknowledge our sins but to be forgiven by Our Lord? Cardinal Dolan's book touches every aspect of what our lives as Catholics should look and sound like. Full of anecdotes, quotes and down to earth comments Priests for the Third Millennium is a great read.

[Claire Gilligan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reads exactly like the good Cardinal's preaching, which is amazing! The whole first half of the book (which, disclaimer, is all I read) was a call to the virtues, and while they are taken from lectures he delivered to his seminarians while he was rector of the NAC, they make for good reading in general. Read this for a book club, and it made for some good discussions.

Evocative stories, down-to-earth language, inspiring high expectations! Basically everything we love about Dolan's preaching/writing. A fun book.

[Fr James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book for seminarians and priests. Very practical, organized, straightforward, and loaded with beautiful insights and advice.

[Ben Daghir · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will re-read this book numerous times throughout my life. I found it challenging, honest, and interesting.

This book will be a guide for me throughout my future years.

Absolutely loved it.