The Spiritual Masters
Pope Benedict XVI
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781860827235
CTS Booklet B640
I love reading books from the Catholic Truth Society, and I love reading books by and about Pope Benedict XVI. And this volume combines both those passions. Over the last few years I have read over 400 books and booklets from the Catholic Truth Society, and several volumes by or about Pope Benedict XVI. The description of the book is:
“By delving into the great scholastic and monastic theological debates of the medieval age, Pope Benedict XVI shows how the thought of medieval scholars can reinvigorate and deepen our faith today.
In this richly illustrated volume, Pope Benedict examines the great Saints of the middle ages from St Odo, Abbot of Cluny, to St Peter Lombard the twelfth-century theologian. With the Holy Father as our expert guide, we delve into the great debates of scholastic and monastic theology meeting figures such as Hugh and Richard of Saint Victor, St Peter Damian and St Bernard of Clairvaux. An exploration of the theological meaning behind the Romanesque and Gothic Cathedral architecture of this time provides further depth.
Through his series of catecheses on the life and works of great witnesses to the faith, Pope Benedict XVI helps us to understand "what it means to be a Christian today." These portraits of the distinguished figures of the medieval Church are not just biographical sketches but also provide the ecclesial backdrop against which they lived out their 'yes' to Christ. Through the words of the Holy Father, these great Saints and teachers of the faith come alive and call us to reawaken and deepen our faith."
And the chapters are:
Saint Odo of Cluny
Saint Peter Damian
Symeon the New Theologian
Saint Anselm
Peter the Venerable
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
Monastic Theology and Scholastic Theology
Two Theological Models in Comparison: Bernard and Abelard
The Cluniac Reform
The Cathedral from the Romanesque to the Gothic Architecture: The Theological Background
Hugh and Richard of Saint-Victor
William of Saint-Thierry
Rupert of Deutz
John of Salisbury
Peter Lombard
Index of Audiences
Index of Illustrations
The English edition of this book released in 2011, it is a translation from Italian that was released in 2009. There is a companion volume Spiritual Masters: Fathers and Writers of the First Millennium that was released the same year. Both are currently back in print in limited availability from the. The content of both these volumes is also contained in the Ignatius Press volume called Church Fathers And Teachers which also contains 9 preceding chapters. This volume was an excellent read. And it is one I plan to return to and read again. It is also different than many of the books I read from the Catholic Truth Society. It is a beautiful hard cover volume. With full glossy pages, and numerous illustrations, some partial pages and some 2 page spread. Ever few pages is a 2 page colour print, and often single pages prints of classic artwork. There are 35 illustrations in total. Each chapter is a translation of an audience given between 2nd September 2009 and the 30th of December 2009 that same year. These reflections go deep into the fathers and writers, their lives, and their meaning for us today. They each are presented examples to us today. It should be noted this edition modifies the addresses somewhat and presents them as papers and not word for word from the audiences, which is different than the Ignatius Press edition.
I seldom keep physical books. I tend to pass them on to others. But this book is a pleasure to read and view that it has gone on my shelf of keepers.
This is an excellent volume and well worth tracking down.
Link to reviews of other books by and about Pope Benedict XVI.
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
...
No comments:
Post a Comment