Priestly Fatherhood: Treasure in Earthen Vessels

by Jacques Philippe

by Father Jacques Philippe
Recognizing the strong and gentle fatherhood which our Heavenly Father bestows on us lovingly and daily indefinitely changes the scope of our spiritual lives. Amidst the crisis of fatherhood in today's society, it is imperative,
more than ever, that all men—especially priests—be
images of this unfalteringly generous fatherhood of God.
What does true fatherhood consist of? How
can true fatherhood help a person gain access to the freedom found through the knowledge of his or her identity as a child of God?
While answering these questions, Fr. Jacques also presents the
spiritual path which allows a priest to guard himself against possible shortcomings and ambiguities as he strives to live out his priestly fatherhood, the gift received by him in ordination.
This book will not only be of interest to priests, but will also help all those who are called to exercise a certain paternity in the Church or in fathers of families, spiritual fathers, educators, and leaders.

Genres: Spirituality, Catholic, Faith, Theology

162 pages, Paperback

Published April 21, 2021

About the author

Jacques Philippe was born into a Christian family on March 12, 1947 in Lorraine, France. After studying mathematics in college, he spent several years teaching and doing scientific research. In 1976, he met the then recently-founded Community of the Beatitudes and answered the Lord’s call to follow Him through this vocation (see below for more information on the Community of the Beatitudes). He then spent several years in Jerusalem and Nazareth immersing himself in the study of Hebrew and the Jewish roots of Christianity. In 1981, he traveled to Rome to study theology and canon law and also began his work as a spiritual director, working in the formation of priests and seminarians of the Community. In 1994, he returned to France, where he assumed various responsibilities including spiritual direction, the development of training in the Community, and participation in its General Council. He has also preached retreats regularly in France and abroad and has consolidated his principal retreat themes into five books on spirituality. In recent years, he has devoted himself primarily to spiritual direction, preaching retreats, and working for the development of the Community in Asia and Oceania, where he travels frequently.

Reviews

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read books by Father Jacques Philippe 17 times now. From the first couple I read back in 2007 after being introduced to them while on retreat, to this latest volume I have loved everything I have read by this humble servant of God. I have not read anything from Father Philippe’s pen that did not bless, encourage and even challenge me. And even though this volume is written mainly to and for priests it is an excellent volume that all readers would benefit from reading. The beginning of the description of the book states:

“Recognizing the strong and gentle fatherhood which our Heavenly Father bestows on us lovingly and daily indefinitely changes the scope of our spiritual lives. Amidst the crisis of fatherhood in today's society, it is imperative, more than ever, that all men—especially priests—be images of this unfalteringly generous fatherhood of God.

What does true fatherhood consist of? How can true fatherhood help a person gain access to the freedom found through the knowledge of his or her identity as a child of God?”

As a father of four children, I really appreciated the examples of good early fathers and how they can be an example and model for priestly fathers. The sections in the book are:

Introduction
Part One : Fatherhood, A Difficult But Essential Reality: Precautions On Language
1. A Priestly Pentecost
2. The Urgent Need for Fatherhood
3. Suffering Caused by the Absence of a Father
4. The Gift of Fatherhood
5. A Father’s Blessing
6. What Makes for True Fatherhood?
Unconditional Love
Words of Authority
7. Failures in Fatherhood
Absence
Severity
Chumminess
The Superman
The Businessman
Power
8. The Children’s Problems
9. Fatherhood in Scripture
Abraham
Moses
Saint Paul

Part Two A Profound Transformation Of Heart
10. How to Become a Father
To Be a Father, You Must Be a Son
Being a Son and Groom of the Church
Being a Brother
Living in the Spirit of the Beatitudes
11. Living the First Beatitude
Looking Out for the Other Before Self
Dispossessing the Self and Welcoming the Other
Consenting to Our Limits and Exhausting the Resources of Faith
What It Means to Be Poor
Spiritual Poverty and Humility
12. Living the Rest of the Beatitudes
13. The Church, Mary, and the Mystery of the Woman
14. Baptismal and Ministerial Priesthood

PART THREE A TANGIBLE REALITY
15. Fatherhood in the Priest’s Ministry
Intercession for the People
The Celebration of the Eucharist and the Sacraments
Eucharistic Adoration
Personal Dialogue
Confession
Preaching
The Government of a Community
Defending the Poor and the Little Ones
Conclusion

Father Philippe in the introduction states:

“The topic of priestly spiritual fatherhood is an important one today. It is a delicate topic, particularly in light of the sad revelation of the behavior of some priests which is in total contradiction with true fatherhood.

There is nonetheless an enormous need in our world for people who are authentic reflections of divine fatherhood. Not that it’s their exclusive domain, but I think that it forms an essential part of the priestly vocation.”

He also declares:

“Through this little book, I would like to encourage my brother priests, who often have a pressing need for encouragement, and to help them believe in the fruitfulness— the fertility— and the beauty of their vocations. Even if it’s a difficult, demanding reality, fatherhood is also a source of great joy. There is nothing more beautiful than to give life, and so much more so when this life is eternal life, the very life of God.

My book is addressed especially to priests, but I think that all people who are called to exercise a certain form of paternity (the fathers of a family, spiritual fathers, educators, people in positions of authority . . .) could find some useful elucidation on how to live their responsibilities fairly.”

The passage that stuck out most to me during my first read through was:

“The father helps his child find his or her true identity. In the Bible, the father gives the child its name. The name is not just a label, a word to be called by, but it represents a deep identity, the mission of the person.”

I have recommended everything written by Father Philippe that I have read. And this one is one of his best. But it and give it a read. Buy copies for the priests in your life. Buy copies to give to friends and family. It is a book I guarantee will bless you, and those in your life. And if you share it, it will bless those whom you give it to.

A wonderful book I give my highest recommendation!

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan!

[Matthew Lauderdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Fr. Jacques Philippe book; you already know I'm going to give it 5 stars and recommend it to everyone. This is yet another excellent book written by Fr. Philippe and as always, it is short, concise, deeply profound, and imminently practical. This one focuses on fatherhood and how it impacts all those entrusted to a father. While I recommend this one to anyone, I'd especially encourage any fathers or priests to check this one out because I think it is extremely helpful in giving guidance and also calling men higher to a life of intimacy with God and to self sacrifice on behalf of others. This one gets an extremely easy recommendation.

[Fr. Dominic Rankin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reflecting the Father’s Love

This little book could be ingested quite quickly because of its brevity and simplicity, but it is best savored, read line by line and bit by bit. Each thought penned by Fr. Philippe is saturated with his own spiritual wisdom, and that of the saints of the Church, but also is collected from the inspired words of scripture, and those of Christ. Again and again the priest, and all who love and pray for priests, are pointed to Jesus as the example to imitate, but in a way that encourages and invites - much as Jesus did with His own apostles - rather than intimidating or discouraging. Perhaps one of his final thoughts stick with me after everything else: the priest as protector of Christ’s peace: in His own heart, in the heart of all he serves, and in the heart of the Church. Isn’t that the job of any Father? Isn’t that the gift that the Father wants to give all of us?

[Jedidiah Preble · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it's meant as an invitation to personal reflection, so he does bring up issues without treating them in any meaningful way, often unrelated to the immediate context.

The first section diagnoses the problems and offers fatherhood as a solution. Much of it is pretty obvious and uninteresting.

The second section is a meditation on the theme of fatherhood in the beatitudes. This section is very good and piqued my interest for his fuller commentary on the beatitudes "The Eight Doors of the Kingdom".

The third section is some practical advice, has some good tidbits but not very substantial.

[Gab Nug · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jacques Philippe here offers good reflections on what it means to be a priestly and spiritual father in today's world, which includes not only advice but also an invitation to the contemporary priest to step fully into the mystery of priestly fatherhood.

[Grzegorz · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this work very disappointing. He's correct to point out the importance of fatherhood in the priesthood, but his unwillingness to go any further than the safest and surface-level examination of it makes this book lose the strength it could have. I found that unwillingness to be more and more frustrating as the book went on and on as he seemed to be repeating himself often. He also seems a little confused about how to think of maternal love.

There's no reason a man as well-read as Philippe couldn't go any deeper, especially in a work that is specifically targeted toward priests. Simply telling people to go to adoration and complaining about modern western society is not enough, in my opinion.

[Fr. Jeffrey Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not find this book particularly helpful or insightful. Fr. Philippe takes a few good swings at trying to define fatherhood and highlight its unique characteristics, but that was very muddled by his vacillating desire to expand the idea beyond priesthood and his lengthy exploration of the Beatitudes which seemed very shoehorned.

[HardWorkofSanctification · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give it 4.5 stars, it is an amazing books that showcases what real fatherhood is about while reflecting upon the spiritual meaning of fatherhood which would be relevant for physical parents but also for priests. I highly recommend it to everyone involved in formation for the priesthood or for already ordained priests willing to re-discover their fatherhood.

[Carlos De La Rosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Remarkable work by Philippe!

Great work! Typical Philippe in the sense that he is both remarkably brief, clear and deep. He constantly challenges the reader to shift his or her perspectives so that they are more conformed to the will of God.

[Fr. Peter Calabrese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read. Based on the Beatitudes work a bit too. Highly recommend as a meditation book for priests. He leaves a lot of the practical application part to the reader. Maybe would have liked a little more “how to” there.

[Michael Vidrine · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are a few good insights here, but so often topics are brought up just to be mentioned that aren’t taken anywhere. It is meant to be a quick and accessible collection of reflections on Priestly Fatherhood, but there are whole chapters where it seems Philippe doesn’t say anything at all

[Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve loved everything I’ve read by Fr. Philippe. This did not disappoint. A beautiful overview on the realities of fatherhood both in the priesthood and in the vocation to holy matrimony and paternity.

[Reuben Nuxoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Along the lines of most of Fr. Jacques Philippe's books, this one explores fatherhood, priesthood, the needs, failures and challenges, and the ways to grow, especially through the beatitudes. Very worth reading and meditating.

[benjamin uhlenkott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely captivating insight into how a priest can be a better shepherd and father to the flock.

[Carlos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This brief book is a quick read. It’s brevity and accessibility belies the spiritual riches it contains. This is an excellent book on priesthood and priestly spirituality. I highly recommend it.

[Kyle Kowalczyk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good stuff but not as good as his other works.

[Bernard Brodeur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic reflection on spiritual fatherhood. Reply spiritual but practical, based on his lived experience.

[Luke LaCour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally an amazing book. Fatherhood is >>>

[Fr. Carlos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written especially for priests as a reminder of their fatherly call. I found Jacques Philippe's clear and concise reflections to be encouraging and challenging.

[Carson Gorton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief, concise, pithy - I love JP