Why priests are happy

Write a Review. Wishlist Wishlist. Advanced Search Links. Product Close-up Editorial Reviews This product is not available for expedited shipping. Add To Cart. Trinity Father, Son, Holy Spirit. The Blackwell Companion to Catholicism. Rose Guide to the Tabernacle. Stephen J. The surveys covered a wide range of issues, for example, the extent to which priests take care of themselves physically: Rossetti found that, like most American males, too many priests suffer from obesity and need more time on the treadmill.

The heart of the book, however, looks at the psychological well-being of the clergy and how this does or does not relate to their spiritual well-being and other issues. Thus the results suggest that priests, as a group, are slightly healthier and a bit less psychologically distressed than the general population of males.

For example, while his data shows that priests have fewer sexual problems than the population at large, he recognizes the unique role of priests in the life of the Church. One of the reasons Rossetti cites for the relatively better mental health of the clergy than the ambient male population is that his survey indicates priests are more likely to seek assistance for mental health problems. The survey specifically asked whether or not priests had voluntarily sought counseling and But, there is something deeper here.

Their faith opens them up to a deep level of divine healing. Plus the presence of their Christian spirituality brings a depth of healing to which the science of psychology has only begun to be aware. Rossetti thinks that happy people make happy priests which strikes some as a tautology but really speaks to something deeper. Rather than ceding our happiness to an external factor, we have some personal control over how happy we will be.

He candidly told me that he was happy with all of his assignments. Since so many of us are constantly searching for happiness, this seems fairly relevant and significant. While there may be many contributing factors to the outcome, after pondering this whole thing recently, I came up with a summary of why I believe clergy are among the happiest people around.

And it all surrounds this idea: the inside matches the outside. Many years ago, I attended a retreat given by an old Irish priest, and he defined happiness as the merging of the desires of the heart, the interior, with the lived reality on the exterior.

The more those two are in sync, he'd said, the happier the person. This made an impression because at the time there was a lack in my life. I wasn't living the majority of my life with my interior and exterior in sync. Feeling the separation of the two on a daily basis left me unsettled.

I was in fact living with what I see now as a wretched disparity, which led to much discontent. But things have changed. Something began to happen to me as a result of that retreat that made me want the inside and outside to match. I knew what that priest was saying was right: that if I could get my two selves in accordance, I would be much more at peace.

I'm grateful to say that though I am not part of the clergy, I do feel that continuity at this point in my life, and yes, it makes a huge difference. Though not every day is bliss, I do feel a great synchronicity between the stirrings of my soul and my vocation as a wife, mother and writer. Rossetti provides an interesting insight into the contemporary priesthood — at least in the United States. And this book is worth persevering through the statistical part of each chapter to get to the true gems that are to be found alongside them.

Not being a priest from the United States, I remain concerned that some might misinterpret the title as applying to priests around the globe, and at the same time I remain intrigued as to what a similar survey might reveal about the diocesan and religious priests here in Australia.

If only there was someone in Australia with the experience and skills that Rossetti possesses that could carry out such a survey. I recommend this book to anyone who wishes an insight into the life of their priests. Feb 17, Fr. Ambrose rated it really liked it. Rossetti does a lot in this text to break down a lot of common, modern misconceptions about the priesthood. It opens a psychological and sociological window into the life of celibacy and devotion to God.

There is a lot of information here that I found very helpful. On the other hand, the text does not deeply engage the question: why are priests happy?

It provides some clues by connecting happiness to several habits and attitudes, but doesn't connect those in an underlying theology or spiritua Fr. It provides some clues by connecting happiness to several habits and attitudes, but doesn't connect those in an underlying theology or spirituality of priesthood.

As a result, it is helpful to learn that our priests are not in that bad of shape, but I was hungry for a bit more about why. That is the title of the book, after all. Oct 22, Kevin Wojciechowski rated it really liked it. This was a great book that analyzed the studies which have empirically shown that, on the whole, priests tend to be among the most joyful people in our world despite what the stereotypes would lead some people to believe.

It made me realize how thankful I am for the many joyful priests in my life Fr. Jose, Fr. Andy Booms, Fr. Eddie, Fr. Andy C, and Bishop Cistone to name just a few. Warrior of God rated it really liked it Jan 29, Ryan Bilodeau rated it it was amazing Dec 10,