The Priest of the Fathers By Edward L. Heston (review)

BOOK REVIEWS255 progress towards alerting their flocks to the rich pastures of the liturgy. Honestly and without "fluff or flubdub" they tell of painstaking efforts and moderate but solid advances in their city and rural parishes. This Liturgical Week of 1944, so far as the printed matter is any index, seems to mark the liturgical movement in America as fully adult. No longer the demand for Utopian and third-heavenly lyrics to propagandize the movement. By token of the volume under review, the pastors of the United States have begun to lead their flocks down to Bethlehem, to the "indispensable source of the true Christian spirit." Surely when the pastors move liturgically there can be no question of the momentum of the liturgical movement here in our country. For pulpit and classroom and study the Proceedings cover a broad field of readily usable materials pertinent to almost every phase of liturgical life. Equipped with a good working index this little volume becomes a needed addition to anyone's liturgical books. Robert Wilken, O.F.M. Duns Scotus College, Detroit, Mich. The Priest of the Fathers. By Edward L. Heston, C.S.C. (Milwaukee: The Bruce Publishing Co. 1945. Pp. 171. $2.50.) This fine book, to which His Excellency the Apostolic Delegate contributes a Foreword, is as timely as it is practical. Dr. Heston, already favorably known through his articles in Catholic periodicals, considers the priest in his relations to God, to the people, and to himself. The result is thirteen interesting and useful chapters to which St. Gregory the Great furnishes the Conclusion. There is a topical Index but no bibliography. The footnotes, all religated to the end of the book, suggest that Migne's collection was the principal source of the quotations. The author speaks through the mouths of the Fathers and of some Doctors of the Church, not by merely quoting them, but by weaving them into fluent and readible chapters covering many phases of the priestly ministry and life. The selection of topics and material is well done. The adopted technique was a happy choice, because it enabled him to bring before his readers some necessary things and thoughts that a Father of the Church could say, but which might be objected to if they came from the pen of a lesser authority. This does not mean that the book contains passages that might offend pious ears as the selections are presented prudently, wisely, and charitably. The topics dealt with are perennial and by no means antiquated. Conditions may change but the nature of things remains. Since this reviewer obviously has no intention to criticize the Fathers, he will, instead, recommend the book to clerics of all ranks, to seminarians, and especially to retreat-masters for the clergy. It is not suitable for the "mothers of the Church." Kilian J. Hennrich, O.F.M. Cap. Our Lady of Sorrows Friary, New York City. FRANCISCAN STUDIBS — g ...