Michael Costanzo, A Genuine Mentor

Abstract

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay\u27s first paragraph. Where the priests feed the flock committed to them both by their word and by their example the people are preserved from many errors. From Defense of the Catholic Priesthood by St. John Fisher (1525; translated by Philip Hallet, 1934) Father Michael Costanzo was a man who wore his learning lightly. He was constantly reading and reflecting. I had many fascinating conversations with him over the years regarding his views on such figures as Edith Stein, Vincent Van Gogh, Oscar Wilde, and Simone Weil, all of whose complete works he had immersed himself in. He was eager to share what he had learned from them, and encouraged me to read them as well