The Priest His Character and Work

I have not been content with an imprimatur and an official nihil obstat. It needs some courage to put down in plain unvarnished words the obstacles which may confront the new priest as well as the opportunities given into his hands. If my attempt is to be of service, dangers as well as helps must have their place. I have not hidden from myself the possible risks inherent in such a task. While refusing to ignore their existence, it has been my endeavour to dwell as little as may be on...
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I have not been content with an imprimatur and an official nihil obstat. It needs some courage to put down in plain unvarnished words the obstacles which may confront the new priest as well as the opportunities given into his hands. If my attempt is to be of service, dangers as well as helps must have their place. I have not hidden from myself the possible risks inherent in such a task. While refusing to ignore their existence, it has been my endeavour to dwell as little as may be on the perils of the priest's life. In treading this delicate path I have had the wise guidance of two friends who have counselled me at every stage. To the Rev. T. B. Scannell, D.D., and the Right Reverend Monsignor Canon Connelly lowe grateful acknowledgment. Without their unstinted help I should never have dared to put forth a volume which touched on such subjects. Having mentioned their names, it is incumbent on me to point out that they are no more responsible for my misdeeds than is the Censor deputatus. Crudities of style, faults of manner as well as defects in matter, are mine alone. Were it not for these friends, the critic would have found many more shortcomings.My desire is to give the fruits of the experience which I have gathered during nearly twenty-seven years of parochial work. Taking the ordinary life of a priest on the mission, I venture to address myself to my younger brethren in the hope that my words may be of service to them. My aim is to give them a helping hand to order aright this life which IS not free from danger, to accomplish work which is not without difficulty.My subject falls naturally into two parts. First comes the priest's personal life, the formation of his character by the priestly spirit. Then come the chapters which are concerned with his every-day work. The titles of these show how far I have tried to include all the duties and offices which fall to the priest on the mission at the present time.