Pope John Paul II

JOHN PAUL II - THE ENCYCLICALS

With the addition of John Pauls final encyclical, Ecclesia de Eucharistia (""The Church of the Eucharist"") what has been a popular book in its first two editions now becomes an indispensable reference. Joseph Donders has rendered John Paul IIs complex thought into a form that non-theologians can appreciate. Whether for group study or individual reading, John Paul II: The Encyclicals in Everyday Language offers clergy, religious, and lay readers the opportunity to explore and understand John Pauls wide-ranging legacy to the Church.

In his new Epilogue, Donders reflects on the legacy of this extraordinary figure whose recent passing was marked and mourned by millions, Christian and non-Christian alike.

Joseph G. Donders (1929-2013) was a member of the Missionaries of Africa and served in Kenya for 15 years, teaching first at the seminary and then University of Nairobi where he also served as Chaplain. In 1984 he became the first director of the Africa Faith and Justice Network based in Washington, DC. He was professor of mission studies at The Washington Theological Union from 1988 until his retirement in 2010.

Pages: 400

Binding: Softcover

THE THEOLOGY OF THE BODY - MADE SIMPLE

MISSION OF THE REDEEMER

Gospel of Life Evangelium Vitae. Promulgated on March 25, 1995, by Pope John Paul II. This encyclical is a call to each person to respect, protect, love and serve life, every human life. The Gospel of Life is, according to John Paul II, the heart of Jesus' message which is loving received and preached by the Church. Human life is sacred because from its very beginning it is the gift of the creative action of God. Each individual is part of God's plan. The document takes up new threats to human life in the context of salvation history and the Scriptures. Topics include: human life as inviolable, abortion, euthanasia, civil law and moral law, promotion of life, proclaiming and celebrating the Gospel of life, the family as the sanctuary of life, bringing about a transformation of culture, the Gospel of life as a message for the whole of human society, the motherhood of Mary.

Paperback, 176 pages

Popes are the Church’s chief shepherds. While some focused on governing the Church and addressing challenges from the world, others recognized their primary responsibility to proclaim and teach the Gospel. Author Alan Schreck calls these the “teaching popes” and John Paul II was such a pope, leading the Church and impacting the world with his witness and his teaching.
The encyclical letter has been, in modern times, the instrument for popes to express their most important teaching—teachings that have lasting value for the Church, and often for the whole world. Dr. Schreck invites the reader to become familiar with the encyclical letters of Pope John Paul II. In The Legacy of Pope John Paul II, Dr. Schreck breaks down more scholarly writing into accessible language. The reflection questions and suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter help facilitate a systematic study of the central teachings of this brilliant but pastoral pope, who conveyed the truth in love.
Dr. Schreck includes chapters on

• Redemptor Hominis (“The Redeemer of Man” )
• Dives in Misericordia (“Rich in Mercy” )
• Laborem Exercens (“On Human Work” )
• Slavorum Apostoli (“On Sts. Cyril and Methodius” )
• Dominum et Vivificantem (“Lord and Giver of Life” )
• Redemptoris Mater (“Mother of the Redeemer” )
• Sollicitudo Rei Socialis (“On Social Concerns” )
• Redemptoris Missio (“The Mission of the Redeemer” )
• Centesimus Annus (“On the Centenary of Rerum Novarum” ) Veritatis Spendor (“The Splendor of Truth” )
• Evangelium Vitae (“The Gospel of Life” )
• Ut Unum Sint (“That They May Be One . . . “ )
• Fides et Ratio (“Faith and Reason” )
• Ecclesia de Eucharistia (“The Eucharistic Church” )

About the Author
Alan Schreck, Ph.D., professor of theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio, is the author of numerous books, including The Legacy of Pope John Paul II: The Central Teaching of His 14 Encyclical Letters, Catholic and Christian, The Essential Catholic Catechism, Catholic and Christian for Young Adults,and Vatican II: The Crisis and the Promise.