This collection of thought-provoking writings is a product of the February 17-19, 2022 Symposium for a Fundamental Theology of the Priesthood. Readers will find a wealth of insights presented in its pages, in opening addresses, homilies, and/or theological, spiritual, and pastoral reflections on the Church in her priesthood, united as she is to Christ who is her head and Eternal Priest. As one would expect, both the ministerial and baptismal priesthoods receive special attention. However, it is clear the authors did not look at these two forms of priesthood in a vacuum or in any unrealistic, disembodied way. Rather, they sought to address related matters pertaining to ecclesial structure, charisms, vocations, mission, the four marks of the Church, and the evangelical counsels and beatitudes as means of witness and holiness, all in the light of the pilgrim Church and the eschaton. There is considerable reflection on the Church as sacramental presence of the Triune God and how different states of life (e.g., single, married, consecrated, ordained) and related matters of sexuality, celibacy, love, and/or chastity reflect sacramentally the presence of God in the Church and, through her, the world. 

The book begins with an opening speech by Cardinal Marc Ouellet, the then Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, and an address by Pope Francis. Twenty-seven chapters arranged according to a particular theme for each day of the symposium follow.

The theme for the first day was “Tradition and New Horizons.” This section contains seven chapters and includes, as you might expect, historical, theological, pastoral and/or spiritual reflections on the topic of the day.

The theme of the second day was “Trinity, Mission, and Sacramentality.” This section includes eleven chapters, the first being a brief introductory address by Cardinal Arthur Roche, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. Like the writings compiled for the first day, the writings collected in this section, some longer than others, address matters of an historical, theological, pastoral and/or spiritual nature. Four of its authors are women, including two sisters, Sister Alexandra Diriart, CSJ of the Pontifical John Paul II Theological Institute for the Sciences of Marriage and Family and Sister Alessandra Smerilli, FMA, Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Included also are the reflections of consecrated woman, Dr. Michelina Tenace of The Pontifical Gregorian University, and laywoman, Martha Olavarrieta de Gomez Serrano, a former member of the Pontifical Council for the Family and a widow and mother of nine children.

For the final day, the section includes seven chapters of varying lengths, including a homily by Cardinal Puerto Parolin, Secretary of State, and an introductory address by then archivist and librarian for the Church, Cardinal Jose Tolentino de Mendonca, who Pope Francis later in the year appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education. All the writings in this section, including one by laywoman Chiara Amiranti, the Founder and President of “Nuovi Orizzonti” (New Horizons), touch on the day’s theme of “Celibacy, Charisms, and Spirituality” and, as was true of the writings associated with the first two days, reflect historical, theological, pastoral and/or spiritual insights and/or concerns.

Altogether, this was a refreshing work of love to read. Clearly, the writers and presenters thoughtfully shared themselves and their concerns to each other in the hope that they - and all of us by way of our reading of this publication, their work in general, and our own reception and metanoia as it concerns the same - might live out the Church’s mission and priesthood more authentically, united as we essentially are to Christ who is our head and Eternal Priest. On this point, it is worth quoting from the last chapter by Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, about those who participated in the symposium in general. “You, dear participants, have been gifted with much teaching and wisdom from the Holy Father and our speakers these past days. Most of you probably desire to go now to a quiet place to internalize and pray over what you have heard. So, I have decided to offer a light and hopefully brief reflection on the topic, ‘The Joy of Mission’.” While not necessarily light in sentiment, the Cardinal does shine a light on some problems in the Church and the effect of this on her mission when he writes of “a world grown tired of individualism, suspicion, and fear of the other” and other destructive tendencies. “When destructive and dehumanizing competition enters the Christian community and its mission, the whole world becomes a lonelier and darker place.”

There was and is concern for any number of “isms” in the world and Church. As it pertains to the whole of this book, there are concerns related to clericalism, misguided formation, and/or immature responses and/or understandings of the Church, of priesthood, and of each other reflected in the pages of the book. But none of the authors presumed these problems to be definitive, as having the final word. Still, how to remain faithful to the One Priesthood of Christ, to the Church’s mission and apostolic witness, and to each other, these were matters with which the authors wrestled. We owe them commendations for their efforts then and now, as their work continues in diverse ways; likewise, the many others who work in ecclesial formation and renewal of the Church in any capacity. In fact, this book would make a wonderful addition to any formator’s library and an excellent textbook in theological and pastoral studies regardless of one’s vocation (e.g., ministerial or baptismal) or state of life (consecrated, ordained, single or married). Even more so because most chapters reflect well-researched material and include extensive notes that can provide direction to readers who want to explore the subjects more.