title: Letters to My Brothers: Words of Hope and Challenge for Priests
author:  Stephen J. Rossetti 
description: "The media would have us believe that priests are unhealthy, unhappy, and unhinged! Baloney! Msgr. Rossetti, who is well aware of the struggles of priests, shows them to be men of hope who inspire hope. What a refreshing read!" --<b>Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan</b>, Archbishop of New York<br /><br />"An astute examination of the enduring gift that Christ gives in the priesthood and the spiritual challenges all priests face in the modern world. From his years of pastoral care and scholarly research, Rossetti provides wise and welcome advice to priests, young and old alike, for living a fruitful priesthood and being energizing agents for the New Evangelization. It is a pleasure to recommend this thoughtful and serene reflection on why we should be so joyful in our priestly ministry." --<b>Cardinal Donald Wuerl</b>, Archbishop of Washington<br /><br />"These letters will benefit any priest or bishop who reads them. They are written by a happy and holy priest who has spent many years working with brothers who have, sadly, lost their way. This experience gives his meditations a particular depth, pungency, and power. Msgr. Rossetti knows that the priesthood is, for the vast majority of priests, a path that leads to tremendous fulfillment, peace, and joy. This collection of beautifully written essays shows forth his love for the priesthood and for those who strive to walk this challenging and wonderful path." --<b>Rev. Robert Barron</b>, Word on Fire Catholic Ministries<br /><br />"Letters are the classical style in which friends communicate their deepest desires and sentiments to one another. For two thousand years in our Catholic tradition, we have used letters to both individuals and communities in order to encourage, inspire, and challenge. Msgr. Rossetti has done just that in this book. These letters of gratitude from a joyful priest remind us how blessed each of us is by the ministry of priests in our lives. For those of us who have been called to the priesthood, he reminds us of the privilege and awesome responsibility to faithfully live it out as servants and friends of Jesus Christ. Rossetti encourages each of us to allow the New Evangelization to be made manifest through our life and ministry." --<b>Msgr. David L. Toups</b>, Rector of St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach, Florida<br /><br />"In the heart of the Year of Faith and the excitement surrounding the election of Pope Francis, Msgr. Rossetti offers a New Evangelization of sorts for priests. In a heartfelt collection of letters written to his brother priests, Rossetti gives witness to hope and new life within the context of priestly ministry as we move into the future as Church. With a spirit of profound humility, his letters are encouraging, poignant, and often challenging: filled with courageous zeal for the priesthood of Jesus Christ. Priests and seminarians alike will find wisdom, thoughtful reflection, and love to spur them on in their lives and ministries as they point others to encounter our risen Lord, Jesus Christ." --<b>Msgr. Ross A. Shecterle</b>, Rector of Sacred Heart School of Theology
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  # The Priest's Tale - Pere Etienne
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ### Robert Keable
  
  
  This page formatted 2007 Blackmask Online.
  
  
  http://www.blackmask.com
  
      
  
  Produced by David Widger
  
  
  THE PRIEST'S TALE—PÈRE ETIENNE
  
  
  From “The New Decameron”—Volume III.
  
  
  By Robert Keable
  
  
  PÈRE ETIENNE came aboard at Dares-Salaam and did not at once make
  
  
  friends. It was our own fault, however. He neither obtruded nor effaced
  
  
  himself, but rather went quietly on his own way with that recollection
  
  
  which the clerical system of the Catholic Church encourages. We few
  
  
  first-class passengers had already settled down into the usual
  
  
  regularities of shipboard life, from the morning constitutional in
  
  
  pyjamas on the boat deck, to the Bridge four after dinner in the
  
  
  smoke-room, and, besides, it was plain that Père Etienne was not likely
  
  
  to have much in common with any of us. So we were polite at a distance,
  
  
  like Englishmen everywhere. Even I, who, by virtue o