The first word of the title of this compendium is unlikely to be one in most peoples' everyday vocabulary so I think the definition of The Concise Oxford Dictionary would not go amiss: 'vademecum ~ a handbook or other thing carried constantly about the person ~ from the Latin: go with me'. At 412 pages and with a hardback cover, this book would not readily fit in most coat pockets. However, it is a very handsome production, with an imitation leather cover, which can be purchased in three colours, red, blue or white each one containing a page marker.

Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI has done a great service to the priests of the world by calling the Year of the Priest, which we are now almost half-way through. This book will provide encouragement and affirmation to my assiduous brother priests. This special year has provided the springboard for many nourishing initiatives and Stephen Moseling, who ministered for a number of years in the Church of England, is to be congratulated for assembling a wide range of quotations relevant to the spiritual lives of priests.

There is a substantial contribution for every day of the year, which will make this edition a useful source of new material, one that will complement the Office of Readings in the breviary.

As Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster says in his excellent Foreword: "In the life of the priest a time of meditation every day is important. There are many sources on which to meditate. But I hope this Vademecum will find its place in the books close to each priest's favourite place of prayer."

The compilation draws from many different sources. There are myriad selections from many Fathers of the Church, Papal writings and Conciliar documents. Contemporary writers also find a place: Tony Philpot, Joan Chittister O.S.B., Richard Conrad O.P and Tom Lane, C.M. to name but a few. These auhors sit alongside classic spiritual masters such as Columba Marmion, O.S.B, Karl Rahner S.J. Basil Hume O.S.B, Joseph Bernardin, Raymond E. Brown and Michael Ramsey. There is indeed much to treasure and inspire.

Many readers will be wondering what to give their parish priest this Christmas; they could do worse than purchasing this anthology. If your priest ends up receiving multiple copies he might well do a roaring trade on Ebay or, more seriously, he may elect to send a spare copy to a brother priest who is working in the developing world.

Although this book has been compiled primarily with priests in mind, there is plenty of material which will be of interest and benefit to the lay faithful.

I am very happy to commend this book which has been the fruit of much hard work and research.

Canon Daniel Cronin, as published in "The Universe" newspaper, 4th December 2009 (Posted on 04/12/2009)