Remain in Me: Holy Orders, Prayer, and Ministry by James Keating (review)

St. Paul wrote, “where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more” (Rom 5:20). It seems that darkness abounds. We constantly hear about a new scandal, or another revelation of sin on the part of the Church’s ministers. It is not too much to say that we live in a time of crisis. Yet, we believe that “grace abounds all the more.” The best response to a time of crisis is faithfulness and holiness, that grace may abound all the more. Especially today, the Church’s ministers need to implore the grace of the Holy Spirit to grow in holiness, so as to become instruments for others to grow in holiness.

Deacon James Keating adds an excellent resource for clergy to grow in holiness. Remain in Me is his contribution to the continuing formation and conversion of priests and deacons. This book is filled with the wisdom accumulated over many many decades of involvement in priestly formation priestly formation. But even more, there is an energy and vitality on every page that can only come from a vibrant and prayerful spiritual life. Keating lovingly invites clerics to “suffer the conversion” to Christ. His interesting exploration of suffering as the pathway to experience the joyful love of Christ is both inspirational and challenging. This book is helpful, approachable, at times mystical, and necessary for the challenges of our times.

The first chapter discusses the importance of spiritual direction for the continued formation and conversion of priests and deacons. All priests and deacons have spiritual directors before ordination. But, the practice of spiritual direction can fall off after ordination. Keating rightly challenges priests and deacons to maintain this important practice. Spiritual direction teaches a cleric to adopt an attitude of humility and docility, important virtues for disciples of Christ. Keating also notes that spiritual direction can be of great benefit to the discouraged cleric. When tempted to think that God is remote and distant, a spiritual director can help the cleric sense the subtle movements of God in his life. This help to notice God’s presence can come as a great relief and joy to the discouraged or frustrated cleric. Keating goes so far as to call spiritual direction “the golden thread of holiness in the life of any cleric” (81).

Chapter two discusses temptations in the spiritual life. Keating wisely recognizes that everyone goes through seasons of darkness or dryness in prayer. As ministers, it can become easy to think “my work is my prayer” and to adopt a kind of spiritual minimalism. Yet, this minimalism leaves one feeling flat and empty. Keating encourages the reader to sit in the pain of prayer until it becomes an act of love that helps one to become more loving (28). He inspires clerics to return to the contemplation of the transcendent to help address the monotony of prayer and ministry.

Chapter three proposes a renewed life of prayer. Prayer is vital to the life of any minister because the cleric’s relationship with God is the only source of vocation and ministry. Keating acknowledges that our culture seeks instant gratification. Clerics are not immune to this temptation. The painful transition from instant gratification to the moral life can only be accomplished through a relationship with Christ. This transition is facilitated by the cleric’s commitment to prayer.

Chapter four examines ministry in the context of the spiritual life. Ministry is not about the cleric’s merits or accomplishments. In fact, ingenuity and creativity can sometimes hinder ministry. Keating states that the most important thing a cleric has to offer the people of God is simply his fascination with the holy. The faithful expect ministers to be experts in promoting the encounter between God and his people. Today, people are starving for God, and yet they often try to fill this hunger with idols. The Church’s minister must know God so as to make him known. This is why Keating calls...