Fr. Benedict Croell O.P. - A Living Sacrifice: Guidance for Men Discerning Religious Life

More Praise for A Living Sacrifice

I commend Father Benedict Croell, O.P. and Father Andrew Hofer, O.P. on the publication of A Living Sacrifice: Guidance for Men Discerning Religious Life . Here young men as well as Vocation Directors will find solid material to help in discerning a vocation to religious life. The information is at once practical, giving details on the various forms of religious life which a candidate might seek to explore, and rooted in the tradition of the Church. The example of many saints provides concrete testimony to the charisms of the various religious orders which go to make up the rich mosaic of religious life in the Catholic Church. This book will undoubtedly prove invaluable in helping young men respond in a confident and trusting way to the promptings of the Holy Spirit as they discern Gods call.

Robert Cardinal Sarah, Prefect, Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments

This book is a must read for any man considering the religious life. Practical, accessible, and packed with information, it is also a work of profound wisdom, a theologically rich and spiritually challenging book that presents and explains the religious life in the ultimate context of Trinitarian life and love. Highly recommended!

Carl E. Olson, Editor of Catholic World Report

This book offers to young men the opportunity to explore the Trinitarian mystery by listening to Jesus Christ, the poor, chaste, and obedient One.

Archbishop J. Augustine Di Noia, O.P., Vatican City

Im delighted to see this book made available. It offers practical guidance with valuable pastoral/theological principles for young men discerning religious life. I pray that many will benefit from the wisdom contained within its pages.

Most Rev. Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop of Oklahoma City

When the desire to commit ones whole life arises in the heart as the most appropriate response to the call of the One who comes to reveal Gods friendship with the world, the path that then opens up before us is both exhilarating and intimidating. It is then that we are glad to find companions on our journey who extend their friendship to us by sharing their experience, by making our steps sure, giving them both realism and daring, and by placing trust in our ability to find our path as we allow ourselves to be guided by the Spirit. This little book comes from such invaluable companions.

fr. Bruno Cador, O.P., Master of the Order of Preachers,

Santa Sabina, Rome

A Living Sacrifice proclaims the reality of the vowed consecration in ways so practical, spiritual and inspirational that one experiences sitting at the foot of the masters and drinking from the springs which have nourished saints through the ages. Above all, this treasure trove gives a precious glimpse into the joy of such a vocation to religious life.... a particular joy that radiates throughout the entire world from age to age!

Sister Joseph Andrew Bogdanowicz, O.P.,

Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist

Balancing practical information, personal narrative, and Catholic tradition, Fr. Benedict and Fr. Andrew have compiled an excellent resource for men at all stages of discernment.

John Garvey, President, The Catholic University of America

A Living Sacrifice is specifically written for young men who are discerning a vocation, but it would also benefit those who promote vocations among the men in their parish community. Everyone should consider themselves a promoter of religious vocations, so everyone should read this book!

Most Rev. Shawn McKnight, S.T.D.,

Bishop of Jefferson City

Spiritually sound and eminently practical, A Living Sacrifice is a rare find that will inspire men who desire to give the totality of their lives to God with generosity and courage through the profession of the evangelical counsels. The world today needs zealous, faithful religious, and this book offers us hope that God is indeed still calling!

Mother Anna Grace Neenan, O.P., Prioress General of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, Nashville

In every generation, the Lord calls some men to follow him in radical ways, even to share intimately in His own way of life, poor, chaste and obedient. If the Lord is calling you to this privileged life of belonging totally to him, then this book will give you the foundational principles and real-life examples to help you respond with generosity and trust.

The Most Reverend Andrew H. Cozzens, S.T.D., D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

This book asks the fundamental question of the discerner who is genuinely seeking holiness, Am I called to live for Jesus alone as a living sacrifice? Every man discerning the priesthood should read this book. It will give clarity to the vocation God has created him to live in this world, whether that is religious life or diocesan priesthood.

Fr. Jeff Eirvin, Vice President, National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors

These pages are filled with indispensable advice on realizing ones vocation in Christ that is at once sensible and sanctifying. Religious life must always be discerned in community and this book brings its readers into contact with not only the figures and theologies of religious lifes earliest beginnings, but also with all the lived realities of the 21st century.

Fr. David Meconi, S.J., Director, Catholic Studies Centre, Saint Louis University

Like the authors of A Living Sacrifice , I was helped by Benedictine monks in my priestly vocation. The world needs more monks, canons, friars, and other religious. This book will be of great service to a young man discerning a calling to religious life.

Very Rev. Joseph C. Taphorn, Rector, Saint Paul Seminary

Sensitively written, its deep theological insights wrapped in accessible prose, A Living Sacrifice offers solid practical guidance for Catholic men discerning religious life. The authors draw wisdom from Fathers and Doctors of the Church, especially St. Thomas Aquinas, as well as recent Magisterial teachings. Expertly avoiding the twin pitfalls of overpsychologizing and overspiritualizing, they provide a candid account of the joys and challenges of living out the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

Prof. Dawn Eden Goldstein, Holy Apostles College and Seminary, author of The Thrill of the Chaste

As parents who pray that our children will be docile to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, wherever it leads them, we could not be more grateful to Fr. Hofer and Fr. Croell for A Living Sacrifice . At points deeply theoretical and tremendously practical, this book is a tour de force on mens religious life. The reader will find tips for discernment, counsel for thinking about and conducting oneself during a visit, as well as the trials and temptations which await one after entering a community. In addition, the Churchs teaching on religious lifeas an eschatological sign of the Kingdomcomes across with beautiful clarity, as well as a treatment of essential Christian virtues, with a particular emphasis on their application to an aspiring religious (e.g., faith, hope, charity, and prudence). In this work, the Church explains herself and speaks with the wisdom of the ages, both past and present. Any young man (or anybody helping young men discern and commit to a vocation) will find this book indispensable. What a gift to the Church!

Dr. Andrew Swafford, editor and contributor, Great Adventure Catholic Bible & Sarah Swafford, author of Emotional Virtue

A Living Sacrifice

A Living Sacrifice

Guidance for Men
Discerning Religious Life

Fr. Benedict Croell, O.P.

&

Fr. Andrew Hofer, O.P.

Vianney Vocations, Valdosta, Georgia

Fr. Benedict Croell, O.P. & Fr. Andrew Hofer, O.P.

All rights reserved. Published 2019

Printed in the United States of America