"Every thoughtful mind amongst us, whether priest or layman, will
thank the courageous writer who throws upon our insular
prejudices the flashlights of other civilisations, and shows us
certain defects which we can only neglect at our own peril. We
hope that this little book will find its way to every student's
desk in Ireland and abroad, and that its lessons will be taken to
heart by professors and _alumni_ alike. It is worth reading if
only for its style, which is far above that usually assumed by
writers on similar subjects. But its chief value is in the deep
insight it manifests as to the wants of the age and the necessary
equipment of the young apostles of our race, whose mission will
be to strange peoples and curious, though some times sympathetic,
souls who are seeking the light and failing to find it. It is a
book to be read with humility and a total absence of that mild
conceit which refuses to accept any but domestic and partial
criticism. The words are those of a thinker and an orator."--
Canon Sheehan in the _Freeman's Journal_.
"Anyone who has lived five years in Australia would advise every
young priest coming to this country to have a copy of Father
Phelan's admirable book in his luggage, and read it more than
once. The young ecclesiastic coming hither who treats lightly the
advice given him will find by-and-by that every line of the book
is true; every priest who has lived a few years on the Australian
mission will know already that it is so."--_Melbourne Advocate_.
"The Rev. M. Phelan, S.J., stresses the necessity of culture of
mind and manners for young priests and seminarians. Father
Phelan, himself a noted preacher, devotes several helpful
chapters to the means of acquiring excellence in preaching. The
book is brimful of valuable hints and helps, and their value is
not diminished by the fact that the style is racy and readable
throughout. The following is intended for Irish readers, but the
advice has wider application:--'. . . He should not commit the
signal folly of attempting to engraft an imported accent on his
own; he should speak as an Irishman, but as an educated
Irishman.' 'The Young Priest's Keepsake' should become a
_vade-mecum_."--_America_.
"With considerable skill and plenty of plain speaking, Father
Phelan gives some admirable advice to young priests in regard to
the study of English and the composition and delivery of sermons.
His experiences in Ireland and on the foreign missions are his
claim to say what his opinion is, and his opinion is weighty.
Father Phelan has wise counsels to give, and gives them in a most
pleasing way. He is always bright, always interesting, and always
instructive. His book deserves to be known to the clergy at
large, and we wish it the circulation it deserves."--_Catholic
Times_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account