This highly praised handbook on ministry is an essential resource for clergy and laity alike--clear, readable, theologically sound, and pastorally wise. Traces the development of ministry from New Testament times through Vatican II to provide pastoral guidance for priests, nuns, teachers, and others who are called to the ministry. "This wonderful book...provides a clear, readable, theologically sound, and pastorally wise "vade mecum, "resource, and agenda bound into one....Taps the depths of gospel and ecclesial understanding."--Eugene Kennedy, author of "The Now and Future Church""Enormously helpful to the thousands...who work in the widest variety of ministries....It is long overdue and much needed."--Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., president emeritus, University of Notre Dame"A handbook such as this has been badly needed and long awaited. Now that it's here, it can't get into the hands (and hearts and heads) of parish ministers too soon....It needs to reach every minister in the church."--Beberly M. Brazauskas, director of relidious education and liturgy, Sacred Heart Parish, Notre Dame, Indiana"McBrien's analysis of ministry [is] rooted in Catholic tradition and very helpful in the church's effort to probe the mystery and meaning of ministry. His treatment of the qualities and spirituality of the minister is challenging to the church as well as to those who believe themselves called to the ministry."--Peter A. Rosazza, D.D., auxiliary bishop of Hartford"A much-needed handbook accessible to the men and women now active in today's parishes."--Thomas F. O'Meara, O.P., author of "Theology of Ministry" This highly praised handbook on ministry is an essential resource for clergy and laity alike--clear, readable, theologically sound, and pastorally wise. Traces the development of ministry from New Testament times through Vatican II to provide pastoral guidance for priests, nuns, teachers, and others who are called to the ministry. Richard P. McBrien is Crowley-O'Brien Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. Educated at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, he has also served as president of the Catholic Theological Society of America. A leading authority on Catholicism, he is the bestselling author of Catholicism , Lives of the Popes , and Lives of the Saints , as well as the general editor of The HarperCollins Encyclopedia of Catholicism . Most recently a consultant for ABC News, McBrien offers regular commentary on all the major television networks. He is also a prizewinning syndicated columnist in the Catholic press.