Manual of Pastoral Theology - A Practical Guide for Ecclesiastical Students and Newly Ordained Priests #266628

Pastoral Theology has at last appeared on the programmes of our ecclesiastical seminaries as a special branch of sacred science, filling thereby a long felt want. The newly ordained priest needs a guide to steer him safely past the rocks and shoals which lie in his course when he launches out into the open sea of practical ministry and apostolic labor. And this applies particularly to our own country, for here a priests pastoral duties extend over a vastly wider sphere than elsewhere, and we have none of the traditional usages and laws with which clerical life is wont to be regulated abroad. Too often, almost immediately after his ordination, the young priest is sent to a mission where he is entirely alone. Comparatively few young ecclesiastics are fortunate enough to remain as assistants to experienced pastors for a sufficient length of time, under whom, by a wise supervision, they are gradually introduced to parochial work. Under these circumstances it is but proper that the advanced classes of our ecclesiastical students be given a course of lectures on Pastoral Theology before they leave the seminary.<br><br>A course on Pastoral Theology was commenced in the seminary of St. Francis several years ago. However, the need of a suitable text-book was keenly felt. None being available in English, and those in other languages not being adapted to this country, we determined to prepare a text-book to meet the existing want.<br><br>Since this work was begin a praiseworthy volume on this topic has been prepared by Rev. Dr. Stang, but we believe that there is ample room for another.