Every priest faces moments of joy in ministry—and days shadowed by weariness, doubt, or discouragement. In The Discerning Priest, Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV, draws on the timeless wisdom of St. Ignatius of Loyola's first rules for discernment to help priests navigate these daily spiritual ups and downs.
Through the story of "Father Tom," a priest whose struggles and victories mirror those of many, Gallagher shows how to recognize spiritual desolation, resist discouraging lies, and find freedom in God's loving action. With warmth and clarity, he offers tools to remain faithful in prayer, steadfast in hope, and renewed in pastoral zeal.
Encouraging and practical, this book is a companion for priests who long to live their vocation with peace, joy, and confidence in Christ.
About the Author
Fr. Timothy M. Gallagher, OMV, was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Having obtained his doctorate in 1983 from the Gregorian University, he has taught (St. John’s Seminary, Brighton, MA; Our Lady of Grace Seminary Residence, Boston, MA), assisted in formation work, and served two terms as provincial in his own community. He has dedicated many years to an extensive international ministry of retreats, spiritual direction, and teaching about the spiritual life. He is a frequent speaker on EWTN, and his digitally recorded talks are utilized internationally. He has written many books on Ignatian discernment and prayer, on the Venerable Bruno Lanteri, and other topics of the spiritual life. He currently holds the St. Ignatius Chair for Spiritual Formation at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
