A book for all priests across the board

Canada-based Rev Dr Carlos C Roberts offers this commentary on Msgr Christian Pereira’s book,

Take Up Your Bed and Walk.

Rev Roberts was ordained alongside Msgr Pereira and Bishop Clyde Harvey 50 years ago by Archbishop Anthony Pantin CSSp and later became an Anglican priest.

Well, I completed my first reading of your book. In my view, it is excellent. A classic, really. I just so totally enjoyed listening to your voice and words of a consummate pastor. It will sell like hot bread from an iconic bakery. Every word that Jason and Esau said about it and about your 50 years of ministry rings true throughout the book.

I particularly liked the impact of explaining the meaning of its title, Take Up Your Bed and Walk only at the end of the book.

You have been blessed by God with a very happy and successful 50 years of pastoral ministry. Few priests have walked in your “Footsteps, with, for, and in, Christ.” I can see it as the main or major textbook at the Seminary in pastoral training of seminarians and for giving orientation courses to newly ordained and young priests in general—all priests across the board.

Ad multos annos, my brother. Having known you over the past 56 years as such a dedicated, committed, spiritually oriented, hospitable, welcoming and approachable person, Christian, man and priest, I could have expected nothing less from you. Everything I said about you in the ‘Footsteps’ CN article (June 28 issue) rang true and came over loudly and clearly, yet humbly and authoritatively in your book. It is a mirror of blessed life.

It is a book that invites the reader to read it not just once, but several times. And to read it slowly, dwelling on the depth of what it says; and to let what it says marinate and be soaked into one’s soul, psyche, practice and praxis.

It truly reflects the kind of spiritual guide or mentor practical pastor that you have been over the years. But, of course, I am not surprised. I would have been disappointed if those qualities did not resound and resonate throughout your book.

In Heaven, our Servant of God Archbishop Anthony Pantin, Fr Michel de Verteuil, Rita, Albert, Granny are rejoicing over your great achievements as a true pastor. Your siblings are justly proud of you. Your past parishioners are elated and edified by your writings.

Project 2: Don’t stop writing. If you have the energy, you can work with someone to put your sermons in book form now.

Writing becomes more of a joy and pleasure than a task for those who love writing. And you have always loved writing reports.

Go for it, if God gives you the strength, energy, and drive to do it.

A friend added, “My favourite section is ‘Hospitality as ministry’ caring for other priests”.