Book Review III, texts of Saint Ambrose

 I believe that a seminarian who has little contact with the works of the Fathers will lose out on many things:

a) He will not develop a correct, critical, historical sense, continuity and tradition in regards to the Church's thoughts, feelings and teachings

b) His interpretation and understanding of Scripture will be extremely anachronistic, poor and limited

c) He will not be able to discern well spiritual errors or theological aberrations

d) His love, fervor and zeal for the good of the Church and salvation of souls will be rather cool and tepid

e) His understanding and practice of basic virtues will be cut off from its rich and fertile source

    Of course, it is not necessary to go through all of the works of the Fathers. Many are monotonous reading and others speak of problems that the Church already resolved. However, a good many are valid for seminary formation today. The early documents are rich sources of spirituality and solid bridges between the Gospels and the later centuries. The treatises of St. Cyprian are perennial and serve as inspired teachings for everyone. They are faithful witnesses to the authenticity and true origins of the Catholic Faith. His historical and accurate accounts, along with those of St. Athanasius, are precious in giving us an idea of how those times really were like.
    One of my favorites is St. Ambrose. He wrote a work entitled "On the Duties of the Clergy". If I were a religious head of a province, I would buy a copy for every Oblate priest and send it to them to read. I have never seen such a beautiful piece of pastoral literature and counsel as this book by the doctor and bishop of Milan. He tells of the importance of gentleness in priests and bishops, on how to practice charity and to whom to serve first, on the priority and urgency of a bishop or pastor in freeing men, women and children from all sorts of oppression and slaveries, on avoiding harshness and haughtiness or not being overly gentle, in not being too quick to excommunicate or remove a cleric from our presence and company, but to do everything possible to save that vocation, etc.
    I believe that if every religious superior and bishop took the time and read this short work of St. Ambrose, the Church in America would improve 100% and even bring back many discouraged priests. St. Ambrose was very wise and had a deep compassion, concern, love and goodness for all his priests. I think that is why he is still so very popular today.

Anthony Mellace