January 13, 2010
Catechetical School lecture series to study lives of eight priests
By Julie Filby
John Baptiste Marie Vianney was a real person—a well-known, highly sought-after priest ministering in remote France in the early 19th century. It is said that his spiritual direction was provided in simple language, often inspired by daily life and country scenes.
How does the story of his life compare to the fictional young priest serving a small French village described in George Bernanos’ 1937 novel “Diary of a Country Priest”? What can one learn about their own spirituality by studying this comparison?
To develop the faithful’s spiritual life and understanding of the priesthood, Denver’s Catholic Catechetical School is sponsoring a nine-week premier lecture series starting Jan. 27, “The Mystery of the Priesthood: What Eight Holy Priests Can Teach Us About the Spiritual Life.”
In the series, presented by professor Anthony Lilles, academic dean at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, the lives of eight “real-life” priests will be compared with priests depicted in literature over the last 200 years.
“The lectures will develop comparisons to show how the mystery of the priesthood is at the service of the Church, especially to the lay faithful,” Lilles said. “This study will help the faithful pray for their priests and gain insight into the importance of priestly formation.”
Lilles explained that the priesthood and its importance can be obscured by ideas in today’s culture.
“While priests play an indispensible role in the spiritual life of the Church, their role is not well understood, especially in our culture today,” he said. “Sometimes cultural observations are based on mere caricatures—not only about the priesthood but also about the spiritual life.”
In addition to St. John Vianney, priests to be studied will include Bishop Joseph Machebeuf, first bishop of Denver; Maurice Bellierie; Charles de Foucald; Maximillian Kolbe; Jean Bernard; Cardinal F.X. Nguyen van Thuan and Pope John Paul II.
Father Jean Bernand’s experience in the Nazi concentration camp at Dachau, Germany from May 1941 to August 1942 will be compared with the imprisoned priest described in Japanese author Shusaku Endo's 1966 work of historical fiction “Silence.”
Bishop Machebeuf will be compared with the character Father Joseph in Willa Cather’s 1927 novel “Death Comes for the Archbishop.”
“In the comparisons drawn, I hope students will come to appreciate how profound the gift of the priesthood is for the whole Church,” Lilles said.
In addition to the sessions led by Lilles, the series will include a March 3 lecture on Cardinal John Henry Newman by Rev. Ian Kerr, author of “John Henry Newman: A Biography”—and a presentation on April 14 “The Priesthood in the Scriptures” by Ben Akers, S.T.L., director of the Catholic Biblical School.
The lectures, offered in conjunction with the Year For Priests, will be held on Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., in Bonfils Hall at the John Paul II Center campus at 1300 S. Steele St. in south Denver. Classes will run from Jan. 27 through April 14.
Registration is available online at www.sjvdenver.edu (select Catechetical School) or by calling 303-715-3195. The cost is $175 per person or $350 per family. Registration is suggested by Jan. 22.
THE MYSTERY OF THE PRIESTHOOD
What: Nine-week lecture series sponsored by the Catechetical School
When: Wednesdays, Jan. 27-April 14
Where: JPII Center, 1300 S. Steele St., Denver
Cost: $175 per person; $350 per family
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