What Seminarians Are Reading
September 17th, 2008 by Br. James Brent, O.P.
If you want to know what seminarians are reading in their spare time these days, one needs to look at a book by Fr. Basil Cole, O.P. — a professor of Moral and Spiritual Theology at the Dominican House of Studies. His recent book The Hidden Enemies of the Priesthood has become something of a rage among seminarians around the country.
Recently, when preaching a retreat for seminarians from all over the country, Fr. Basil learned that many of them were not only reading but recommending to each other his book. He later learned that the former Archbishop of St. Louis, Raymond Burke, purchased and distributed copies for every seminarian in his Archdiocese. The publisher’s first printing of the book ran out some time ago, and it seems the second will do the same. In addition, Dr. Jeff Mirus of CatholicCulture.org gave a very favorable review of the book.
For our readers, I asked Fr. Basil a few questions about ”The Hidden Enemies of the Priesthood”.
Where did you get the idea to write the book “The Enemies of the Priesthood”?
Fr. Basil: I’ve been a priest for forty-two years and I’ve heard many confessions of priests and seminarians. It seemed to me that many needed to learn St. Thomas Aquinas’s theology of the capital vices and some strategies to deal with and overcome them.
The book has been reviewed in a number of places and is selling very well. Why do you think that is? Who is buying it?
Fr. Basil: I think the book may be selling well because some bishops have promoted it and many seminarians and some priests have never learned some of the ideas expressed therein, so the contents become interesting reading for them.
What are some of the enemies of the priesthood that you discuss in the book?
Fr. Basil: Two major enemies come to mind: ignorance of the dignity of the gift of priesthood, and pride as the queen of the seven capital vices. Most spiritual authors and the Catechism of the Catholic Church teach there are only seven capital vices. Thomas teaches that the seven are lieutenants of the queen. Ignorance of the Queen as the “anti-form” (my terminology) of the vices tends to obscure the deepest enemy of the priest. He may think one or other is his problem but the real problem for all is pride, which governs as it were the other vices.
What are some of the remedies for these ills that you discuss?
Fr. Basil: Contemplation, humility, the prayer of petition done with humility, patience and persistence,
together with mercy toward one’s peers and formators.
You are professor who teaches many seminarians. Do you see a change in the type of men studying for the priesthood today?
Fr. Basil: They seem to be more open, polite and are willing to engage in dialogue rather than have a
fighting debate.
You were a mission preacher for many years. Are you available to travel and give talks to priests, seminarians, or others about your book?
Fr. Basil: I am available on a limited basis. I do give some retreats and conferences to priests and seminarians but my teaching schedule requires me to stay at home during school time at the Dominican House, save for some weekends and during vacation periods.
How might people reach you?
I can be reached at the Dominican House of Studies.
