With a foreword by George Cardinal Pell, archbishop of Sydney. This book illustrates the richness of the Catholic priesthood by reference to the lives of ten men who, at different stages in history, committed themselves fully to follow Christ as labourers in his vineyard. These men – St John Chrysostom, St John Fisher, St Oliver Plunkett, the Curé of Ars, Cardinal Newman, Archbishop John Baptist Lamy, St Pius X, Blessed Cardinal Clement von Galen, St Josemaría Escrivá,Pope John Paul II – although following very different paths, have several elements in common arising from the holiness of their lives. Thus we find in all a deep personal love for Christ, a willingness to sacrifice themselves generously for the salvation of souls, a great loyalty to the Magisterium, and a rich human sensibility.
Thomas McGovern is a priest of the Opus Dei prelature and the author of Priestly identity (2002).
