Books for Discerning Catholic Priesthood
August 6, 2025
Books for Discerning Priesthood:
A Grand Slam for God: A Journey from Baseball Star to Catholic Priest by Burke Masters and Mike Sweeney (2023)
A Living Sacrifice: Guidance for Men Discerning Religious Life by Fr. Benedict Croell O.P. and Fr. Andrew Hofer O.P. (2019)
A Priest in the Family: A Guide for Parents Whose Sons are Considering Priesthood by Brett Brannen (2014)
A Priest’s Life: The Calling, the Cost, the Joy by Patricia Mitchell and Edwin F. O’Brien (2010)
A Priest Forever: The Life of Father Eugene Hamilton by Benedict Groeschel (1998)
All In: Breaking Barriers to Discerning the Priesthood by Anthony Isacco and Domenick Tirabassi (2018)
Becoming a Priest: Canonical Discipline and Criteria on Suitability for Candidates by Szabolcs Anzelm Szuromi (2019)
Called By Name: The Inspiring Stories of 12 Men Who Became Catholic Priests by Dr. Christine Anne Mugridge and Jerry Usher (2011)
Chosen One: From Homeless Infant to Priest at Home in My Heavenly Father’s Heart by Fr. Bob Shaldone, SOLT
Christian de Chergé: A Theology of Hope by Christian Salenson (2012)
Directory on the Ministry and Life of Priests (1994)
From Slave to Priest: The Inspirational Story of Father Augustine Tolton (1854-1897) by Caroline Hemesath and Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers (2010)
Gift and Mystery by Pope John Paul II (1996)
He Leadeth Me by Walter Ciszek (1973)
“Hey, Father!” Grace Filled Moments in the Life of a Catholic Priest by Gordon Douglas (2001)
How to Become a Catholic Priest: The Spiritual Journey From Seminary to Catholic Priesthood by Peter Okeke (2024)
Made to Lead: Becoming the Father the Church Needs Today by Fr. Jason Buck (2025)
Man of God: The Catholic Priest and the Cornerstones of His Life by Athanasius Schneider (2024)
Many Are Called: Rediscovering the Glory of the Priesthood by Scott Hahn (2010)
Mary, The Mediatrix of God’s Grace: My Call to the Roman Catholic Priesthood by Reverend Father Evaristus Uche Obikweulu (2015)
My Call to Priesthood: One Married Man’s Struggle to Become a Roman Catholic Priest by Ronald Eberley (2006)
No Turning Back: A Witness to Mercy by Fr. Donald Calloway (2019)
Nothing But You, Lord: Reflections on the Priesthood and Priestly Formation through the Lens of Bishop Robert Barron by Fr. John P. Cush (2024)
Priesthood: A Call to Service, Sacrifice, and Selflessness by Fr. Marcel Amadi (2018)
Priestly Formation & Integrative Healing by James Keating (2019)
Priest and Beggar: The Heroic Life of Venerable Aloysius Schwartz by Kevin Wells (2021)
Priests for the Third Millennium by Timothy M. Dolan (2000)
Program of Priestly Formation by National Conference of Catholic Bishops (2006)
Raising Virtuous Sons, Building Holy Fathers: How Parents, Priests, and Mentors Shape Future Fathers, Priests, and Leaders by Fr. Jason Buck (2025)
Reclaiming Our Priestly Character by David Toups (2008)
Resting on the Heart of Christ: The Vocation and Spirituality of the Seminary Theologian by James Keating (2009)
Saints and Priestly Formation by James Keating (2017)
The Catholic Priesthood: A 360 Degree View by Bevil Bramwell OMI (2020)
The Grace of Ars by Frederick L. Miller (2010)
The Grace to Be a Priest by Romanus Cessario (2018)
The Joy of Priesthood by Stephen Joseph Rossetti (2005)
The Priest Is Not His Own by Fulton J. Sheen (1963)
The Priestly Life by Ronald Knox (2023)
The Priests We Need to Save the Church by Kevin Wells (2019)
The Sound of Silence: The Life and Cancelling of a Heroic Jesuit Priest by Karen Hall (2024)
The Spiritual Formation of Seminarians: Learning to Live in Intimate and Unceasing Union with God by James Keating (2025)
To Save a Thousand Souls: A Guide for Discerning a Vocation to Diocesan Priesthood by Brett A. Brannen (2010)
The Restoration of The Priesthood: A Call to Holiness by Guillermo Maldonado (2018)
The Shadow of His Wings: The True Story of Fr. Gereon Goldmann, OFM by Gereron Goldmann (2000)
With God in America: The Spiritual Legacy of an Unlikely Jesuit by Walter J. Ciszek S.J. (2016)
With God in Russia: The Inspiring Classic Account of a Catholic Priest’s Twenty-three Years in Soviet Prisons and Labor Camps by Walter J. Ciszek and Daniel L. Flaherty (2017)
Resources for Catholic Mental Health Ministry (Compendium)
August 3, 2025
Attached is a PDF with various resources for Catholic Mental Health Ministries. Please Click on the Link to Open the PDF.
GCRC Mental Health Parish Ministry Resources
Psalms and Prayers for Times of Sickness & Injury
August 3, 2025
Psalms and Prayers for Times of Sickness and Illness
Fiat voluntas Tua, Domine.
Thy will be done.
In manus Tuas, Domine, commendo spiritum meum
Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Sancte Raphaël Archangele, custodi me.
Saint Raphael the Archangel, protect me.
Cor Iesu, in Te confido.
Heart of Jesus, I trust in you.
Venite ad me omnes qui laboratis et onerati estis, et ego reficiam vos. (Mt 11:28)
“Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
Domine, lux mea in tenebris es.
Lord, You are my light in the darkness.
Domine, refugium tuum ante tempestatem esto.
May the Lord be thy refuge before the storm.
Miserere mei, Deus.
Have mercy on me, O God.
Ad te levavi animam meam.
To You I lift up my soul.
Fiat pax in virtute tua, et abundantia in turribus tuis.
Let peace be within thy strength, and abundance within thy towers. (Psalm 121:7 Vulg.)
In pace in idipsum dormiam et requiescam.
In peace I will lie down and sleep, and take my rest. (Psalm 4:9)
Catholic Seizure Prayer Card: When a Seizure is Near
August 3, 2025
When a Fit (Seizure) Feels Near
For Functional or Epileptic Seizures
Click Here for the PDF Version: Fit_Preparation_Card_Catholic
– Invoke the Name of Jesus
“Jesus, stay with me. Jesus, I trust in You.”
Repeat His Name slowly, like a lifeline.
– Find a Safe Position
If you’re standing, sit or lie down safely. Place your
hand over your heart or stomach. Let yourself be
still.
– Use a Short Prayer or Scripture Verse
Choose a comforting phrase:
– “The Lord is my shepherd…”
– “Be still and know that I am God.”
– “Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in
Thee.”
When a Fit Feels Near
– “Jesus, I am weak, but You are strong.”
– Make the Sign of the Cross
Even if only in your heart, mark yourself as
belonging to Christ. You are not alone.
– Breathe with Intention
Try: Inhale: “Come, Holy Spirit”
– Exhale: “Be my peace”
– Offer the Moment
“Lord, if this fit must come, let it come in Your
presence. I give this moment to You. Be with me through it and after it.”
Catholic Recovery Journal PDF: Epilepsy, FND, Diabetes
August 3, 2025
PDF Document Under Each Category. Please Click on the Blue Link to Receive Desired PDF.
May Christ’s Healing Hand Guide You on Your Journey. May the Blessed Mother’s Mantle Shelter You.
Catholic Recovery Journal for Epilepsy
Catholic_Epilepsy_Reflection_Journal
Catholic Recovery Journal for FND (Functional Neurological Disorder)
Catholic_FND_Reflection_Journal
Catholic Recovery Journal for Diabetes
Catholic_Diabetes_Reflection_Journal
Prestigious Catholic Boarding Schools
July 24, 2025
Top Catholic Boarding Schools
Stonyhurst College, St. Edmund’s College, Ratcliffe College, Downside School, Saint Mary’s School Ascot, and Chavagnes International College.
These six boarding schools offer an experience comparable to that of op secular college preparatory schools and elite boarding schools, while operating under the Roman Catholic Church or adhering to the Roman Catholic faith.
1. Stonyhurst College
2. St. Edmund’s College
3. Ratcliffe College
4. Downside School
5. Saint Mary’s School Ascot
6. Chavagnes International College
Stonyhurst College
Location: Clitheroe, United Kingdom
Founded: 1593
Religious Order: Jesuit
Pupils: Boys and Girls
Ages: 3-18
Youngest Boarding Age: Year 3 (Ages 7-8)
IB School: Yes
A-Levels: Yes
Traditional Full Boarding: Yes
St. Edmund’s College
Location: Ware, England
Founded: 1568
Pupils: Boys and Girls
Ages 2-18
Youngest Boarding Age: Ages 11-18
IB School: Yes
A-Levels: Yes
Traditional Full Boarding: Yes
Ratcliffe College
Location: Leicester, England
Founded: 1845
Religious Order/Teachings: Antonio Rosmini-Serbati
Pupils: Boys and Girls
Ages: 3-18
Youngest Boarding Age: Ages 10-11
IB School: Yes
A-Levels: Yes
Traditional Full Boarding: Yes
Downside School
Location: Stratton-on-the-Fosse, England
Founded: 1614
Pupils: Boys and Girls
Ages: 11-18
Youngest Boarding Age: Age 11
IB School: No
A-Levels: Yes
Traditional Full Boarding: Yes
Saint Mary’s School Ascot
Location: Ascot, England
Founded: 1885
Pupils: Girls Only
Ages: 11-18
Youngest Boarding Age: Age 11
IB School: No
A-Levels: Yes
Traditional Full Boarding: Yes
Chavagnes International College
Location: Chavagnes-en-Paillers, France
Founded: 1802 (Re-Fashioned “International”: 2002)
Pupils: Boys
Ages: 11-18
Youngest Boarding Age: Age 10
IB School: Yes
A-Levels: Yes
U.S. Diploma: Yes
Traditional Full Boarding: Yes
Catholic Books on Mass & Eucharist
December 28, 2024
“When you look at the Crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host you understand how much Jesus loves you now”
– Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
To find books on the Eucharist for Children go to:
Children & Infants
Faith-Based Literature
Fundamentals (Scroll down until you reach the section)
To find books on the Eucharist for New Catholics go to:
New/Returning to Catholicism
Books about Catholicism (Scroll down until you reach the section)
Fictional Catholic Characters
March 29, 2023
These fictional characters do not all represent good examples of the Roman Catholic faith and practicing Catholics. GCRC does not personally promote nor condone the behavior of any of the characters listed. Many of the characters listed here falsely represent the beliefs, practices, and ideals of the Catholic Church for entertainment, popular culture, or political purposes. Those looking for inspirational Catholics or good examples of Catholic behavior and beliefs should research saints of the Roman Catholic Church.
A:
Abuela Alma Madrigal (Encanto)
Abuelita (Coco)
Adriana La Cerva (The Sopranos)
Aisling (Derry Girls)
Anna Ferron (The Apparition)
Anthony “A.J.” John Soprano Junior (The Sopranos)
Anthony “Tony” John Soprano (The Sopranos)
Aramis (The Three Musketeers)
Arthur “Artie” Bucco Jr. (The Sopranos)
August Boatwright (The Secret Life of Bees)
Aunt Linda (The Wish, Nicholas Sparks)
Aunt Sarah (Derry Girls)
Averill (Black Death)
B:
Bernadette Rostenkowski (The Big Bang Theory)
Betty Reagan (Blue Bloods)
Bishop Charles-François-Bienvenu Myriel (Les Misèrables)
Bishop Jean Marie Latour (Death Comes for the Archbishop)
Br. Gawain (Knightfall)
Br. Landry du Lauzon (Knightfall)
Br. Osmund (Black Death)
Br. Osmund (Dragonheart: Battle for the Heartfire)
Br. Pierre (Knightfall)
Br. Tancrede de Hautville (Knightfall)
Br. Ulric (Knightfall)
Brianna Randall Fraser (Outlander)
Bridget (The Gilded Age)
Bridgette McCarthy (Father Brown)
Brother Cadfael (The Cadfael Chronicles)
C:
Cardinal Andrew Dussolier (The Young Pope)
Cardinal Angelo Voiello (The Young Pope)
Cardinal Caltanissetta (The Young Pope)
Cardinal Lamberto (The Godfather III)
Cardinal Mario Assente (The Young Pope)
Cardinal Michael Spencer (The Young Pope)
Carmela Soprano (The Sopranos)
Catherine (Belfast)
Cathy Dunne (The Miracle Club)
Charles Ryder (Brideshead Revisited)
Charmaine Bucco (The Sopranos)
Chester Jones (Saint Ralph)
Chrissie (The Miracle Club)
Christopher Moltisanti (The Sopranos)
Claire Beauchamp Randall Fraser (Outlander)
Claire Collins (Saint Ralph)
Clare Devlin (Derry Girls)
Conor Larkin (Trinity)
Conor MacManus (Boondock Saints)
Cornelius Nolan (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn)
Corrado “Junior” John Soprano Jr (The Sopranos)
D:
D’Artagnan (The Three Musketeers)
Da Gerry (Derry Girls)
Daniel Fitzgerald “Danny” Reagan (Blue Bloods)
Don Camillo (Don Camillo and Peppone)
Don Tommaso Viglietti (The Young Pope)
Doyle Lonnegan (The Sting)
Dr. Dana Katherine Scully (The X-Files)
E:
Eileen Dunne (The Miracle Club)
Eillis Lace (Brooklyn)
Ella Lopez (Lucifer)
Erin Quinn (Derry Girls)
Erin Reagan-Boyle (Blue Bloods)
Esther (The Young Pope)
Eugenio The Priest (Luca)
F:
Father Alvito (Shogun)
Father Brown (Father Brown)
Father Charles “Chuck” O’Malley (Going My Way)
Father Dermot Byrne (The Miracle Club)
Father Des Spellacy (True Confessions)
Father Dougal McGuire (Father Ted)
Father Fitzpatrick (Saint Ralph)
Father Flood (Brooklyn)
Father Francis Chisholm (The Keys of the Kingdom)
Father Gabriel (The Mission)
Father George Hibbert (Saint Ralph)
Father Imperius the Monk (Ladyhawke)
Father Jack Hackett (Father Ted)
Father James Lavelle (Calvary)
Father Joseph Vaillant (Death Comes for the Archbishop)
Father Kent (Disney’s Haunted Mansion)
Father Noel Furlong (Father Ted)
Father Raymond (Assassin’s Creed)
Father Richard “Dick” Byrne (Father Ted)
Father Ted Crilly (Father Ted)
Feech La Manna (The Sopranos)
Flor Moreno (Spanglish)
Fr. Daniel Barry (Stella Days)
Fr. Kieran O’Connell (The Originals)
Fr. Monaghan (The Big Wedding)
Fr. Peter (Derry Girls)
Fr. Phil Intintola (The Sopranos)
Fr. Sebastião Rodrigues (Silence)
Fr. Stan Mayer (Major Crimes)
Francis “Frank” Xavier Reagan (Blue Bloods)
Frankie Fiorello (Brooklyn)
Friar Tuck (Robin Hood)
G:
Geraldine Devlin (Derry Girls)
Giacomo “Jackie” Aprile Sr. (The Sopranos)
Giacomo “Jackie Jr.” Michael Aprile Jr. (The Sopranos)
Giovanni Francis “Johnny Boy” Soprano (The Many Saints of Newark)
Giulietta “Giulia” Marcovaldo (Luca)
Giuseppina Moltisanti (The Many Saints of Newark)
Gloria Maria Ramirez Delgado-Pritchett (Modern Family)
Granda Joe (Derry Girls)
Grandmaster Jacques de Molay (Knightfall)
H:
Henry Reagan (Blue Bloods)
Hercule Poirot (Agatha Christie)
I:
J:
Jack Reagan (Blue Bloods)
Jacques Saunière (The Da Vinci Code)
Jameson “Jamie” Reagan (Blue Bloods)
James “Jamie” Fraser (Outlander)
James Maguire (Derry Girls)
James “Jimmy” “The Gent” Conway (Goodfellas)
Janet “Jenny” Fraser Murray (Outlander)
Janice Baccalieri Soprano (The Sopranos)
Jean Valjean (Les Misérables)
Jenny Joyce (Derry Girls)
Jim Farrell (Brooklyn)
Joanne Moltisanti (The Many Saints of Newark, The Sopranos)
Joey Tribbiani (Friends)
John “Johnny Sack” Sacrimoni (The Sopranos)
Josiah Edward “Jed” Bartlet (West Wing)
June Boatwright (The Secret Life of Bees)
K:
Kelli Lombardo Moltisanti (The Sopranos)
Kevin Ryan (Castle)
L:
Lady Cordelia Flyte (Brideshead Revisited)
Lady Felicia Montague (Father Brown)
Lady Theresa Marchmain (Brideshead Revisited)
Lenny Belardo “Pope Pius XIII” (The Young Pope)
Lily Fox (The Miracle Club)
Linda Rose Reagan (Blue Bloods)
Livia Soprano (The Sopranos)
Luka Kovač (ER)
Luther Krank (Christmas with the Kranks)
M:
Ma Mary (Derry Girls)
Madame Baptistine Myriel (Les Misérables)
Madame Magloire (Les Misérables)
Maddie Fitzpatrick (The Suite Life of Zack & Cody)
Madonna Soto (The Big Wedding)
Marcus White (Superstore)
Mary Francis Nolan (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn)
Master-Brother Berenger (Knightfall)
Master Godfrey Marcel de Caux (Knightfall)
Master Talus (Knightfall)
Matthew de Clermont (All Souls, Discovery of Witches)
Maurizio Fiorello (Brooklyn)
Meadow Mariangela Soprano (The Sopranos)
Melissa Schemmenti (Abbot Elementary)
Michael Carpenter (Dresden Files)
Michael “Matt” “Daredevil” Murdock (Marvel Series)
Michelle Mallon (Derry Girls)
Miguel Rivera (Coco)
Miss Clavel (Madeline)
Monsignor Gutierrez (The Young Pope)
Monsignor Seamus Fargo (True Confessions)
Mother Joseph (Change of Habit)
Mother Mary Stigmata (The Blues Brothers)
Mrs. Doyle (Father Ted)
Mrs. Isabel Devine (Father Brown)
Mrs. McCarthy (Father Brown)
Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser (Outlander)
Murphy MacManus (Boondock Saints)
N:
Nicky Reagan-Boyle (Blue Bloods)
Nora Krank (Christmas with the Kranks)
Nurse Alice (Saint Ralph)
O:
Olivier “Lion” Flament (Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege)
Orla McCool (Derry Girls)
Otsu (Deep River)
P:
Parsifal (Knightfall)
Peter Löwenbräu Griffin Sr. (Family Guy)
Philip “Phil” Leotardo (The Sopranos)
Philippe de Clermont (All Souls)
Phillipe “The Mouse” Gaston (Ladyhawke)
Pilar Ramirez (Modern Family)
Prime Minister of Greenland (The Young Pope)
Prior Philip (The Pillars of the Earth)
Q:
Quasimodo (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)
R:
Ralph Walker (Saint Ralph)
Richard “Dickie” Moltisanti (The Sopranos, The Many Saints of Newark)
Robert “Bobby Bacala” Baccalieri (The Sopranos)
Rodrigo Mendoza (The Mission)
Rosalie Aprile (The Sopranos)
Rose Lacey (Brooklyn)
S:
Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero (The Sopranos)
Sarah Miles (The End of the Affair)
Sean Daley (The Last Templar)
Sean Reagan (Blue Bloods)
Seikichi (Kiku’s Prayer)
Señor Flores (Encanto)
Sharon Raydor (Major Crimes)
Silvio Manfred Dante (The Sopranos)
Siobhan McClure (Holy Cross)
Sister Alice (The Miracle Club)
Sister Anne (Knightfall)
Sister Barbara (Change of Habit)
Sister Berthe (The Sound of Music)
Sister George Michael (Derry Girls)
Sister Irene (Change of Habit)
Sister Margaretta (The Sound of Music)
Sister Mary (The Young Pope)
Sister Mary Benedict (Going My Way)
Sister Sandrine (The Da Vinci Code)
Sister Suree (The Young Pope)
T:
The Blue Fairy/Mother Superior (Once Upon A Time)
The “Whiskey” Priest (The Power and the Glory)
Thomas “Tom” Branson (Downton Abbey)
Tom Builder (The Pillars of the Earth)
Tony Fiorello (Brooklyn)
U:
Uncle Colm (Derry Girls)
V:
Vasco Rodrigues (Shogun)
Vito Spatafore Sr. (The Sopranos)
W:
Waleran Bigod (The Pillars of the Earth)
William of Baskerville (The Name of the Rose)
Wyatt Price (Man in the High Castle)
X:
Y:
Ysabeau de Clermont (All Souls, Discovery of Witches)
Z:
-
At The Global Catholic Resource Center, we know that you may not always have the time to find the resources you need to connect with Jesus Christ and His Holy Church…That’s why we found them for you!