The Ancient Fathers on the Priesthood

Edward Male’s The Ancient Fathers on the Office and Work of the Priesthood in the Church of Christ appeared in 1891. Drawing upon the works of numerous patristic authorities, as well as Bernard of Clairvaux and Peter de Blois, Male synthesized their theological reflection and endeavored to present “the unanimous sentiments of the Church Catholic on its important subject” (from the Translator’s Preface). Book I, On the Office and Character of the Priesthood, contains the sections “On the Excellence and Holiness of the Priestly Office” and “The Virtues Proper to the Clerical Order, Separately Considered.” Book II, On the Pastoral Care, contains the sections “On the Burden of the Pastoral Charge,” “On the Duties of Pastors Towards God and Towards Man,” and “On the Duty of the Pastor Towards Himself.” The work closes with a conclusion and prayer, and contains an appendix of short biographies of the authorities cited.