Dublin Retreat 12/16 - Counseling and Preaching: Guidance through the Holy Spirit

In his 12th talk of the 1977 Dublin retreat, Archbishop Fulton Sheen delves into the roles of counseling and preaching within the priesthood. He emphasizes the Holy Spirit's critical role in counseling, cautioning against over-reliance on psychology while underscoring the necessity of integrating Christ and the gospel into guidance. Sheen advises priests to be concise and focused on decision-making in counseling sessions, highlighting the importance of praying with those seeking counsel. For preaching, he stresses the need for ongoing education and preparation, particularly in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Sheen encourages personal reflection on Scripture and warns against merely reading sermons, advocating for preaching that is heartfelt and Christ-centered. His message to the clergy is clear: effective counseling and preaching require a deep connection with the Holy Spirit and a commitment to conveying Christ's teachings authentically.