Recommended Reading

Great resources for discernment

Scripture

The best of all books to read is the Bible.

Web Resources

The USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) has just launched their new vocations website, ForYourVocation.org.

Books

Books on Vocation Discernment

To Save a Thousand Souls: A Guide for Discerning a Vocation to Diocesan Priesthood - Fr. Brett Brannen

Personal Vocation: God Calls Everyone By Name - Dr. Germain Grisez and Russell Shaw

What Does God WantFr. Michael Scanlon

Discovering Your Personal VocationHerbert Alphonso, S.J.

Is Jesus Calling You To Be A Catholic Priest? A Helpful GuideFr. Thomas Richter, published by the NCDVD

Radical Surrender; Letters to SeminariansFr. Michael Najim

Paths of Love: The Discernment of Vocation According to the Teaching of Aquinas, Ignatius, and Pope John Paul IIJoseph Bolin

Could You Ever Become a Catholic Priest?Christopher J. Duquin & Lorene Hanley Duquin

Called by Name: The Inspiring Stories of 12 Men Who Became Catholic PriestsChristine Mugridge

Books on Celibacy

The Courage to be ChasteFr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR

When God Asks for an Undivided HeartFr. Andrew Apostoli, CFR

Sacerdotalis Caelibatus (Priestly Celibacy)Pope Paul VI, 1967

VirginityFr. Raniero Cantalamessa

“…And You are Christ’s” The Charism of Virginity and the Celibate LifeThomas Dubay, S.M.

Books on Priesthood

Priests for the Third MillenniumArchbishop Timothy Dolan

The Priest is Not His OwnArchbishop Fulton J. Sheen

Those Mysterious PriestsArchbishop Fulton J. Sheen, 2005

A Priest’s Life: The Calling, The Cost, The JoyThe Word Among Us Press

The Joy of PriesthoodMsgr. Steve Rosetti

Reclaiming our Priestly CharacterFr. David Toups

Maurice and Therese: The Story of a LoveSaint Therese of Lisieux

Short Catechism on the PriesthoodSt. John Vianney

The Grace of ArsFr. Frederick Miller

Together on the Road: A Vision of Lived Communion for the Church and the PriesthoodMassimo Camisasca

Dear Father: A Message of Love to PriestsCatherine De Hueck Doherty

Be Holy! God’s First Call to Priests TodayThomas Forrest, C.Ss.R.

A Celebration of Priestly Ministry: Challenge, Renewal, and Joy in the Catholic PriesthoodCardinal Walter Kasper

Magisterial Documents

Presbyterorum Ordinis (Order of Priests), 1965Sacerdotii Nostri Primordia (From the Beginning of Our Priesthood) 1959

Pastores Dabo Vobis (I will Give You Shepherds), 1992Program of Priestly Formation (5th Edition), U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2005

Biographies or Autobiographies of Priests

Parish Priest: Father Michael McGivney and American CatholicismDouglas Brinkley and Julie M. Fenster

The Cure D’Ars: St. Jean-Marie-Baptiste Vianney F. Trochu

A Priest ForeverFr. Benedict Groeschel

He Leadeth MeFr. Walter J. Ciszek, S.J.

Edmund CampionEvelyn Waugh

From Slave to Priest: A Biography of the Reverend Augustine Tolton (1854 – 1897): First Black American Priest of the United StatesCaroline Hemesath

Treasure in ClayArchbishop Fulton Sheen

The Grunt PadreFr. Daniel Mode

A Shepherd in Combat Boots: Chaplain Emil Kapaun of the 1st Cavalry Division - William L. Maher

Holy Man: Father Damien of MolokaiGavan Daws

The Shadow of His Wings: The True Story of Fr. Gereon Goldmann, OFM - Gereon Karl Goldmann