The Timeless Teachings Of St John Paul Ii

While pontiff, Saint John Paul II brought forth an abundance of documents which will continue to be a permanent source of enrichment for the Church and society. This volume of summaries of the Pope’s major documents, with questions for study, makes these invaluable writings more accessible to each of us, and emphasizes the aspects of his teachings of most interest and application to the lives of the laity. For personal, small group, or class enrichment, John Fagan’s summaries help expose and illuminate the heart and mind of one of the Church’s greatest figures in history. John E. Fagan is an attorney who lives and works in Northern Virginia. He was born in Philadelphia and was raised in Colorado Springs. He has degrees from the University of Notre Dame (BA), Northwestern University (JD), and New York University (LLM).

This work gives readers a glimpse into the mind, heart, and vision of Pope John Paul II regarding the present and future life and role of laity in the Church, and his thoughts and reflections inspire us all in our daily living of the Lord's call. This is a collection of insightful teachings from over 300 of the Pope's sermons and speeches. Every word in the book, including titles and sub-headings, is directly from the Pope's sermons. John Paul II stands out as a religious leader who has himself been immersed in the daily grind and joys of lay life. He knew the hardships of the factory, the exhilaration of sport, the intellectual challenge of university life, and the daily pressures of unjust government. In his many journeys we saw him at home with church leaders, politicians, workers, and youth. He chose to address the laity of the world on a broad spectrum of topics, and it is truly exciting to read his reflections and respond to the challenges he presents.

Winner of a first-place award for English translation editions from The Catholic Media Association. Teachings for an Unbelieving World is a newly discovered work written by St. John Paul II—then Archbishop Karol Wojtyła of Kraków—in the years just after Vatican II. He uses St. Paul’s sermon to the people of Athens in Acts 17 as a framework for articulating the faith in a culture of skepticism and unbelief. These thirteen brief reflections provide compelling teaching for Catholics in today’s post-Christian world and give fresh insight into JPII’s pontificate. This is the first English-language publication of this important work. St. John Paul II composed these thirteen reflections at a unique point of convergence in history—the closing of Vatican II in 1965 and the 1966 observance of one thousand years of Christianity in Poland. Teachings for an Unbelieving World is an extended meditation on Acts 17 where Paul speaks to the cultural elite of Athens after he observed an altar of an unknown god in the city. Quoting from both the Bible and the documents of Vatican II, John Paul II draws timely wisdom from the apostle’s mission to bring the truth of the Gospel to a worldly culture of sophistication and disbelief, one not unlike our own. The future pope reveals Paul’s memorable encounter as an enduring framework to boldly present the core truths of Catholic faith to those living under Poland’s communist regime. In so doing, JPII demonstrates how relevant Paul’s words are today and equips us to meet the challenges of proclaiming the faith in our times. Teachings for an Unbelieving World affirms the continuity of Catholic faith about: humanity’s place in God’s creation; our search for meaning, truth, and freedom; addressing a culture of unbelief; the gift of redemption in Jesus Christ; the grace of the Holy Spirit; the role of the Church in the world; the power of the Eucharist; the redemptive and self-giving nature of human love; and the importance of prayer.

Contained in THE WISDOM OF JOHN PAUL II are essential excerpts from papal encyclicals, sermons, addresses, and other statements, both formal and occasional, from throughout his Holiness's papacy. They discuss, matters of faith and conscience, and range from the problems of Contemporary Spirituality and Morality to Progress in the Modern World and Human Rights - all informed by the profound wisdom and deep understanding of a man who devoted his life to God and His peoples.

This work gives readers a glimpse into the mind, heart, and vision of Pope John Paul II regarding the present and future life and role of laity in the Church, and his thoughts and reflections inspire us all in our daily living of the Lord's call. This is a collection of insightful teachings from over 300 of the Pope's sermons and speeches. Every word in the book, including titles and sub-headings, is directly from the Pope's sermons. John Paul II stands out as a religious leader who has himself been immersed in the daily grind and joys of lay life. He knew the hardships of the factory, the exhilaration of sport, the intellectual challenge of university life, and the daily pressures of unjust government. In his many journeys we saw him at home with church leaders, politicians, workers, and youth. He chose to address the laity of the world on a broad spectrum of topics, and it is truly exciting to read his reflections and respond to the challenges he presents.