The Fathers of the Church
Pope Benedict XVI
ISBN 9781860824982
ISBN 1860824986
CTS Booklet Do780
Over the last few years, I have read a number of books by and about Pope Benedict XVI. Of the popes in my lifetime, I find his writings of immense spiritual benefit. I would state that I underappreciated him until his resignation. And since then, I have read much. And with each piece I read I appreciate his wisdom, faith, and stand against modernism. This was an excellent read. There are two editions of this work, and they are nearly identical. In North America this book is published under the title Church Fathers: From Clement of Rome to Augustine by Ignatius. I had tracked down this volume and was reading it when I picked up the eBook from Ignatius. I ended up reading about half the book in each edition.
The descriptions on the back of the two volumes are very different. The description of the edition of the book is:
“Following his series of Catechesis on the Apostles and major figures of the primitive Church, Benedict XVI turns all his knowledge and insight to the preachers, poets, homilists and theologians of the next five centuries. The Lives and contributions to Catholic life and thought of great figures such as St Augustine of Hippo, Origen and St John Chrysostom are described and explored in accessible language and with a great love and enthusiasm. This book will encourage readers to get to know and appreciate the founding figures of Christianity and their ever-fresh and challenging teachings.”
It should be noted the chapter breakdowns are significantly different between the two editions. They cover the same information. The Ignatius version includes the date and location of the audience the text is taken from and has a separate chapter for ever audience. The CTS edition has a chapter for each Church father with four of them having subsections. A few of the CTS chapters also combine more than one address into a single chapter. The chapters in this edition are:
Saint Clement, Bishop of Rome
Saint Ignatius of Antioch
Saint Justin, Philosopher and Martyr
Saint Irenaeus of Lyons
Clement of Alexandria
Origen of Alexandria:
Life and Work
The Thought
Tertullian
Saint Cyprian
Eusebius of Caesarea
Saint Athanasius of Alexandria
Saint Cyril of Jerusalem
Saint Basil
Saint Gregory Nazianzen
Saint Gregory of Nyssa
Saint John Chrysostom
The years in Antioch
Bishop of Constantinople
Saint Cyril of Alexandria
Saint Hilary of Poitiers
Saint Eusebius of Vercelli
Saint Ambrose of Milan
Saint Maximus of Turin
Saint Jerome
His life
Scripture and eductation
Aphraates, “the Sage”
Saint Ephrem
Saint Chromatius of Aquileia
Saint Paulinus of Nola
Saint Augustine of Hippo
His life
Augustine’s final works
Faith and Reason
His works
Inner experience
It should also be noted there is no introduction of conclusion to the volume. And the CTS edition does not contain the footnotes found in the Ignatius edition. Making the CTS a great reading edition and Ignatius excellent for study.
I have read much about the church fathers and by the church fathers over the years. Both in school and personal reading, much of it by Mike Aquilina. This is an absolutely fantastic volume. You can read it from beginning to end, or jump around and pick and choose the Fathers in a random order.
This is a wonderful volume to read, no matter which edition you pick up. I enjoyed both the editions I have worked through. There is a continuation of this volume with the title of Church Fathers and Teachers: From Saint Leo the Great to Peter Lombard in the Ignatius press edition and it is published as two beautiful hard covers from the Catholic Truth Society called Spiritual Masters Fathers and Writers of the First Millennium and Spiritual Masters Medieval Fathers and Writers.
A great resource that any Catholic would benefit from reading, it would be great for any Christian. An excellent volume.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2024 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.
Books by Benedict XVI:
The Way of the Cross - Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger - Pope Benedict XVI
Finding Life's Purpose: Inspiration for Young People
Don't Be Afraid To Be Saints - with Pope John Paul II
Confession Advice and Encouragement from Pope Benedict XVI
From the Depths of Our Hearts - Pope Benedict XVI and Robert Cardinal Sarah
Way of the Cross Meditations and Prayers
Way of Calvary: Stations of the Cross
Spiritual Masters Fathers and Writers of the First Millennium
Spiritual Masters Medieval Fathers and Writers
Finding Life's Purpose: Inspiration for Young People
Don't Be Afraid To Be Saints - with Pope John Paul II
Confession Advice and Encouragement from Pope Benedict XVI
From the Depths of Our Hearts - Pope Benedict XVI and Robert Cardinal Sarah
Way of the Cross Meditations and Prayers
Way of Calvary: Stations of the Cross
Spiritual Masters Fathers and Writers of the First Millennium
Spiritual Masters Medieval Fathers and Writers
Jesus, the Apostles and the Early Church and Church Fathers
...
Books About Pope Benedict:
Habemus Papam! Pope Benedict XVI - Regina Doman and Sean Lam
Benedict XVI - Helena Scott and Ethel Tolansky
A Pope of Surprises: The First Five Years of Pope Benedict XVI's Papacy - Helena Scott and Ethel Tolansky
Be Saints! An Invitation from Pope Benedict XVI - Amy Welborn and Ann Kissane Engelhart
Take Five: Meditations Pope Benedict XVI - Mike Aquilina and Fr. Kris Stubna
Friendship with Jesus: Pope Benedict XVI talks to Children on Their First Holy Communion – Amy Welborn and Ann Engelhart
Habemus Papam! Pope Benedict XVI - Regina Doman and Sean Lam
Benedict XVI - Helena Scott and Ethel Tolansky
A Pope of Surprises: The First Five Years of Pope Benedict XVI's Papacy - Helena Scott and Ethel Tolansky
Be Saints! An Invitation from Pope Benedict XVI - Amy Welborn and Ann Kissane Engelhart
Take Five: Meditations Pope Benedict XVI - Mike Aquilina and Fr. Kris Stubna
Friendship with Jesus: Pope Benedict XVI talks to Children on Their First Holy Communion – Amy Welborn and Ann Engelhart
...
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