Pope Benedict XVI and His Battle with the Modern World

by David Gibson

“The Rule of Benedict” takes the reader from the dramatic moments in St. Peter’s Square, when the most unlikely candidate in the conclave was announced as the next pope, and goes back through Joseph Ratzinger’s life to decipher how he became Benedict XVI–and what that surprising journey means for his papacy and for the church. Gibson’s earlier book, The Coming Catholic Church , was almost a psychological profile of Catholicism. In the same way, The Rule of Benedict is a psychological profile of the man who heads the Catholic Church. “The Rule of Benedict” is the first biography of Ratzinger as a pope, not just as a priest and cardinal. It is also provides the first in-depth look at the legacy and final days of Pope John Paul, and the first inside look at the politics inside the secret conclave that led to Ratzinger’s election. All of this is placed in the wider historical and religious perspective of Catholicism then and now, providing novel insights into the present and future of the Catholic Church.

The Rule of Benedict: Pope Benedict XVI and His Battle with the Modern World

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by John L. Allen, Jr.

When Pope Benedict XVI walked onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on April 19, it was the first time that many people had ever heard of him. But for the last 24 years, the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany was a celebrity in Catholic circles, widely known for his intellectual prowess and his role as the Vatican’s notorious defender of the faith. Allen’s book seeks to fill in the blanks about the man known in the media as “God’s rottweiler,” revealing a person who cannot be summarized in a catchphrase.

But this book isn’t just an examination of the new pope’s Christian principles; it is also a glimpse into the inner machinations of the Vatican, which Allen covers for the “National Catholic Reporter” and from time to time on CNN. Drawing on his many sources -including eight cardinals who participated in the conclave that elected Pope Benedict -Allen gives a play-by-play assessment of how the pope was chosen and what he might have in store for the church’s 1.1 billion followers. Readers who want a cloak-and-dagger political whodunit should look elsewhere. Allen’s book is much smarter than that; it’s a rich and thoughtful analysis of the present-day Catholic Church and its complex new spiritual leader.

The Rise of Benedict XVI

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by Pope Benedict XVI

George Weigel’s bestselling biography of Pope John Paul II, Witness to Hope, set the standard by which all portraits of the modern papacy are now measured. With God’s Choice, he gives us an extraordinary chronicle of the rise of Pope Benedict XVI as well as an unflinching view of the Catholic Church at the dawn of a new era.

When John Paul II lapsed into illness for the last time, people flocked from all over the world to pray outside his apartment. He had become a father figure to millions in a world bereft of strong paternal examples, and those millions now felt orphaned. After more than twenty-six years of John Paul II’s guidance, the Catholic Church is entering a new age, with its bedrock traditions intact but with pressing questions to address in a rapidly changing world. Beginning with the story of John Paul’s final months, God’s Choice offers a remarkable inside account of the conclave that produced Benedict XVI as the next pope, drawing on George Weigel’s unrivaled access to this complex event.

Weigel also incisively surveys the current state of the Church around the world: its thriving populations in Africa, Latin America, and parts of the post-communist world; its collapse in western Europe; its continued struggles in Asia; and the vibrancy of many aspects of Catholic life in the United States, even as the Church in America struggles to overcome its recent experience of scandal.

Reflecting on John Paul II’s greatness, drawing on firsthand interviews to paint an intimate portrait of the new Pope, and boldly assessing the Church’s current condition, God’s Choice is an invaluable book for anyone seeking to understand the Catholic future and the larger human future the Church will help to shape.

God’s Choice: Pope Benedict XVI and the Future of the Catholic Church

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by Peter Seewald

In the person of Pope Benedict XVI, one of the most significant of Europe’s intellectuals is heading-up the Vatican. The journalist Peter Seewald, who has known Ratzinger since 1992, conducted the “longest interviews in church history” with him, for two books which were best-sellers world-wide, Salt of the Earth, God and the World.

Now he describes these intensive encounters in detail for the first time, and draws a portrait of this brilliant theologian who has put his life entirely at the service of the Catholic Church. Above and beyond that, this book is also the story of a long dialogue which changed Seewald’s life.

Many people are trying to understand who Benedict XVI really is. On one point they are all agreed: in the person of Joseph Ratzinger, the chair of Peter is occupied by one of the most brilliant minds in the world. Peter Seewald’s portrait of Benedict recounts details about the personality and life of Benedict which were hitherto completely unknown.

Benedict XVI: An Intimate Portrait

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by Rupert Shortt

The latest offering in a flurry of books about Catholicism’s leader delves into the mind of the man and explores how his thinking is likely to affect the church and the world. Shortt, religion editor of the Times Literary Supplement and author of two previous books (one on Rowan Williams, archbishop of Canterbury), traces Benedict’s evolution from supporter of reform to agent of restoration.

In analyzing the pope’s past and present views, Shortt probed Benedict’s extensive writings and interviewed about three dozen individuals spanning various religious and academic realms in Europe, Latin America and the United States. He skillfully blends Benedict’s own words with the observations of others to create a balanced portrayal of the man who was first characterized by such appellations as “enforcer” and “God’s Rottweiler” (though Shortt seems to prefer casting Benedict as “The German Shepherd,” the title of his last chapter.) Throughout his concise assessment, the author touches on Benedict’s involvement in such issues as liturgy, the relationship of church to world, the ordination of women, ecumenism and liberation theology. Shortt’s book is commendable for its balance and thoroughness, though some readers may find its theological analyses a bit tedious.

Benedict XVI: Commander of the Faith

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The Biblical Theology of Pope Benedict XVI

by Scott W. Hahn

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger’s election as Pope Benedict XVI brought a world-class biblical theologian to the papacy. There is an intensely biblical quality to his pastoral teaching and he has demonstrated a keen concern for the authentic interpretation of sacred Scripture. Here a foremost interpreter of Catholic thought and life offers a probing look at Benedict’s biblical theology and provides a clear and concise introduction to his life and work. Bestselling author and theologian Scott Hahn argues that the heart of Benedict’s theology is salvation history and the Bible and shows how Benedict accepts historical criticism but recognizes its limits. The author also explains how Benedict reads the overall narrative of Scripture and how he puts it to work in theology, liturgy, and Christian discipleship.

“A superb introduction to the way in which the theology of Pope Benedict XVI has been shaped by the Bible. Scott Hahn’s crisp and clear analysis puts the reader at the very center of this remarkable pope’s thought.”

- Gary Anderson, University of Notre Dame

“The increasingly painful bankruptcy of the historical-critical method in our time has created a vacuum precisely at the point where the living Church requires substantial nurture. Pope Benedict XVI has spoken into this crisis like no one else, and his best expositor, Scott Hahn, has done us a tremendous service by synthesizing Benedict’s erudite and prayerful biblical theology into a lively, readable, and intellectually reliable conspectus. This excellent volume will be indispensable for all Christians who seek to be more maturely grounded in Scripture.”

- David Lyle Jeffrey, Baylor University

“As a Protestant biblical scholar, I found Hahn’s exposition of Pope Benedict’s biblical theology both informative and inspiring. In spite of differences, Protestants need to read this book to understand how deeply we can agree on the primacy of Christ and the Word. Through Hahn, I have a new appreciation for the mind and heart of Pope Benedict.”

- Tremper Longman III, Westmont College

Covenant and Communion: The Biblical Theology of Pope Benedict XVI

Available at Wellsprings for S$32.90

by Thomas H. Green, SJ

For over thirty years, Opening to God has de-mystified prayer for countless thousands. This direct and appealing guide explains what prayer is all about, then turns to the techniques that ready the soul to encounter God. Jesuit missionary and spiritual director Thomas Green, S.J. banishes stodgy assumptions about spiritual life that is fed by the practice of prayer. A must-have resource, both for beginners and practiced ‘pray-ers’ who want to cultivate a more meaningful prayer experience.

Recommendation:

In this book, Thomas Green lays the foundation of what prayer is really about, and how we might be able to pray in truth and in spirit; opening our eyes not only to God and his Creation, but also to ourselves. Highly recommended to all seeking to deepen their prayer lives! Many of us pray, but are we really praying?

Opening to God

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by Gerard W. Hughes, SJ

Jesus said: ”The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field.” This book has only one purpose: to suggest ways of finding the treasure in what we may consider a most unlikely field – ourselves. It is a guide book to the inner journey in which we are all engaged and has much to say to those who have a love/hate relationship with the Church to which they belong or once belonged.

Recommendation:

As the description above relates, this book is designed as a guidebook for a journey – a journey that moves progressively inwards. Though twelve engaging chapters, Gerard Hughes takes the reader deeper and deeper into a spiritual journey that seeks out the ultimate treasure – Christ himself. At the end of each chapter are exercises designed to help the reader in his or her own journey towards a deeper spiritual awareness and relationship with God.

God of Surprises

Available at Wellsprings for S$6.90

by Margaret Silf; Foreword by Gerard W. Hughes, SJ

Landmarks help us to find ourselves when we think we are lost. When we don’t know where to begin, they give us a starting point. When we think we know where we are, they give us confidence to keep going. And if we think we have arrived, they remind us that there is always something more, somewhere beyond.

This is a book of landmarks for the heart’s journey. Written out of the author’s own prayer and lived experience, and inspired by her practical explorations of the insight of St Ignatius Loyola, it opens up questions which concern us all. How can we recognise God’s ceaseless action in our lives and begin to discern his will? What does ‘fallenness’ mean for us today? How can we live true to ourselves and make decisions in freedom? How we do penetrate our deepest desires and become free of the lesser attachments that obstruct them? Big questions – but as Margaret Silf shows, there are clues to be discovered in every moment and situation: at home, at work, in the garden, in the market, in the bath!

Landmarks will help us discover and deepen our own individual journeys. Written for both groups and individuals, it is illustrated with drawings and diagrams, and contains exercises and suggestions for prayer and reflection. Be warned, however. Landmarks are not for armchair pilgrims. They are for the People of the Way.

Recommendation:

Margaret Silf’s “guidebook” to deeper prayer and spiritual life prompts and informs the reader with its calm and personal voice; the book also colourfully illustrates its intentions and advice via sketches and useful and easy-to-understand metaphors. Silf herself constantly refers to Scripture throughout the book, drawing from the wisdom and stories of the Bible in order to illustrate and explain our own experiences with God and prayer. A book that is enjoyable and accessible, while retaining profound spiritual wisdom. Recommended for all!

Landmarks: An Ignatian Journey

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by Ilia Delio, O.S.F.

Masterfully written and intensely enlightening, Franciscan Prayer could very well be considered the essential handbook for all those seeking to pray and live the Franciscan way. With exquisite execution, Franciscan theologian Ilia Delio clearly outlines what it means to pray as a Franciscan. Through her experience as a discalced Carmelite nun and then her transformation into Franciscan scholar, Sister Delio brings to light the “contemplative,” “cosmic” and “evangelizing” aspects of Franciscan prayer. Everyone, says Delio, seems to know about Francis’ life, his miracles, his devotion to evangelization and his dedication to living a simple and humble life, yet few know about his prayer life, which seemed, over the centuries, to get lost in the paper shuffle between theologians, followers and historical biographers.

It is through Clare of Assisi, Delio asserts, that we have insights into the Franciscan path of prayer. “Clare provides the ‘road-map’ of prayer for evangelical life . . . she was able to do this because she lived under monastic rule while ardently desiring evangelical life.” Through Clare’s letters and actions, we find the rudiments of Franciscan prayer: ”Gaze-Consider-Contemplate-Imitate.” Delio also uses the insights of Saint Bonaventure as well as Saint Francis to fully show the meaning and purpose of prayer in the Franciscan tradition.

Recommendation:

From its very first pages, Sr. Delio explains how Franciscan prayer emerges from the Franciscan understanding of God and Creation. Franciscan prayer – according to Delio, for example – is dynamic, because it is about participating in the mystical body of Christ, who is according to Franciscan theology, inseparable from the Trinity; hence, to pray in the Franciscan tradition is to enter into the mystery of the Trinity itself, and to live in the Trinity is to live in relationships of love, relationships which are indeed, dynamic. This book is highly recommended for those who are interested in knowing about and cultivating a Franciscan tradition of prayer.

Franciscan Prayer

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by M. Basil Pennington, O.C.S.O.

The practice of prayer and meditation in modern Western Christianity is rooted in the Eastern traditions of early Church prayer as well as the wisdom of early Church fathers. In Centering Prayer, M. Basil Pennington, the author of the highly acclaimed Daily We Touch Him, returns to these roots, offering contemporary Christians a new approach to ancient prayer forms.

Pennington combines the best of the Eastern spiritual exercises (such as the Jesus Prayer) with a spirituality for today’s world. Addressing the obstacles that discourage people from praying well, he explains how to relax for prayer, how to listen to and be directed by the Other, and how to handle the pain and distractions that can stifle attempts to communicate with God. Centering Prayer has sold more than a quarter million copies since it was first published in 1982. In this eminently practical book, simple, inspiring instructions will help readers find the comfort and the guidance they seek through prayer.

Recommendation:

In this book, Basil Pennington brings to us a form of prayer practised by those in the monastic life throughout Western Christianity. Briefly explaining its historical roots in the Desert Fathers of the early Eastern Church in Syria and Egypt, Pennington goes on to explain Centering Prayer while guiding readers with practical steps and advice on taking their first steps towards this. Practical advice for any form of prayer, this book guides you into learning how to still you heart and mind in a world of distractions. Recommended for all.

Centering Prayer: Renewing an Ancient Christian Prayer Form

Available at Wellsprings for S$23.90

by Thomas Dubay, S.M.

Fr. Thomas Dubay spends a number of months every year giving conferences and retreats to religious, particularly the contemplative Carmelites. This book is the fruit of many years of his study and experience in spiritual direction, and in it he synthesizes the teachings on prayer of the two great doctors of the Church on prayer – St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila – and the teaching of Sacred Scripture.

But the writings of St. Teresa and St. John of the Cross, which Fr. Dubay has synthesized, are not only for contemplatives. These teachings are based on the Gospel imperative of personal prayer and the call to holiness and they are meant for every Christian. Here is an outstanding book on prayer and the spiritual life, written by one of the best spiritual directors and retreat masters of our time and based on the writings of two of the greatest mystical doctors of the Church.

“This book is a gold mine for any Christian intent on making progress in prayer. Any reader who appreciates the relevance of the spiritual in these troubled times will find Fire Within difficult to put down. A work of art by a master of the spiritual life.”

- Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R., author of Arise from Darkness

Recommendation:

In comparison to the other books recommended here, Fr. Dubay’s book takes it’s place in the heavyweight category of spiritual writing. A book that draws upon the Gospel, the writings of two great mystics and Doctors of the Church, as well as Fr Dubay’s own experiences in spiritual direction, the reader can expect to encounter passages exploring topics of detachment, summits, contemplation, locutions and visions within these profound pages. Fr. Dubay’s exquisite use of expression in prose illuminates these passages for the advanced reader and pray-er. A work of a world-class spiritual director, it is recommended for advanced readers and those interested in the area of prayer and spiritual direction.

Fire Within: St Teresa of Avila, St John of the Cross, and the Gospel on Prayer

Available at Wellsprings for S$35.90

by Louis de Wohl

In this magnificent and stirring novel, Louis de Wohl turns his famed narrative skill to the story of the soldier and merchant’s son who might have been the right-hand man to a king… and who became instead the most beloved of all saints. The story teems with action, pageantry and intrigue with finely conceived characters – the beautiful, saintly Clare, Frederick, the hawk-faced King of Sicily and the Holy Roman Emperor, the Sultan Al Kamil, Pope Innocent III… The scene shifts from Assisi, Rome and Sicily to the deadly sands of Egypt.

This book was made into a feature film entitled Francis of Assisi by 20th Century Fox, and is now available on video from Ignatius Press.

“A sweeping, evocative historical novel that vividly recreates the thirteenth century as de Wohl stirringly chronicales the journey of Francis from soldier to mystic, a spiritual quest fraught with signficance for the modern reader.”

- Robert Waldron, author of Hound of Heaven at My Heels

Recommendation: This novel is suitably recommended for those looking for an enjoyable and intimate rendering of the life of St Francis. Louis de Wohl balances the demands of an imaginative narrative with a disciplined regard for historical accuracy in order to recreate the celebrated life of St Francis. Being a hagiographical account, this novel is not recommended for those seeking a more serious study of the saint and his life. Suitable for adults and youth alike.

The Joyful Beggar: A Novel about St Francis of Assisi

Available at Wellsprings for S$33.90

by Ivan Gobry, Ph.D.

He has inspired countless films, paintings, poems and novels. But who was Francesco Bernadone, now known as Saint Francis of Assisi? Despite the wealth of writing on the life of this great saint, many still don’t know the man. They know the legend: a Francis made palatable to modern sensibilities—the happy friar who carols to the birds and writes poems to the sun and moon. This is the image of the saint that is usually presented, even though it fails to encompass the true personality of Francis.

Ivan Gobry, Ph.D., takes on the task of revealing the real man, the man who abandoned wealth and chose to live a beggar’s life. Saint Francis lived a life that was full of danger and adventure, ministering to lepers and even traveling to Egypt in an attempt to convert the Muslims. Disciples flocked to him, drawn by the radical challenge of living the Gospel in a world that had become attracted to decadence. Francis rejoiced in nature and animals, but also fought spiritual battles against temptation and vice. Dr. Gobry restores a profoundly human dimension to the Little Poor Man of Assisi: a far cry from the image that has become conventional.

Ivan Gobry, Ph.D., a specialist in the medieval period and professor emeritus at the University of Rheims, is the author of a great number of studies on the Middle Ages and philosophy. He is considered to be one of the foremost experts on Saint Francis.

Recommendation: This book is a must-have for those searching for a solid and detailed account of the Saint’s life. In separating the man from the legend, Professor Gobry pieces together the real life of Saint Francis from the past 500 years of scholarship, and presents it to today’s reader in a continuous and easy-to-read chronological narrative. Especially recommended for adults interested in discovering the real life of Saint Francis.

Saint Francis of Assisi

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by Helen Walker Homan

In this book, Helen Walker Homan captures all the excitement and beauty of the lives of Fransis and Clare of Assisi, and their centuries-long influence on the whole world through their radical living of the Gospel and founding of two great religious orders.

Recommendation:

Helen Walker Homan’s book draws upon established biographical accounts of the two great saints of Assisi in order to present their lives in a way suitable for children between the ages of 11-13. As told in twelve easy-to-read chapters, the lives of Saint Francis and Clare are brought to life in colourful reimaginings of true events. Recommended to parents keen on introducing their children to the inspiring lives of these two great saints.

Francis and Clare, Saints of Assisi

Available at Wellsprings for S$19.90

by Hugh Noonan, Roy Gasnick

This beautifully illustrated, colorful booklet tells the story of Francis. It reveals a simple man who responded profoundly to the problems and crises of his day.

The Franciscan spirit begins with the story of Francis Bernardone, now known to the world as St. Francis of Assisi. This simple retelling of Francis’ story explores the secret of his love affair with God through his loving relationship with all things living—a secret that is worth probing today more than ever.

Francis of Assisi: The Song Goes On

Available at Wellsprings for S$9.90

by John Michael Talbot

Well-known Christian musician Talbot founded the Brothers and Sisters of Charity, a Franciscan lay order. Here he discusses their way of life, which is based on the ideals of simplicity, service, and love for creation that St. Francis of Assisi inpired. Drawing on insights from the saint’s enigmatic life, Talbot encourages readers to pare down the overwhelming demands of modern existence and to distinguish between the needs of interior life and the pull of worldly desires.

Readable and filled with concrete suggestions, this is sure to appeal to seekers of a more simple and authentic life.

Recommendation: This book goes one step further than the other books recommended here; John Michael Talbot, in this book on spirituality, draws upon lessons from the life of Saint Francis and shows us how the life of this thirteenth century saint can offer guidance in our own paths to holiness. Recommended especially for those inspired by the life of this great saint.

The Lessons of St Francis: How to Bring Simplicity and Spirituality Into Your Daily Life

Available at Wellsprings for S$25.90

Organized round the Rule of St. Francis, this book is a wonderful resource for private devotion or group study as it shows readers what it means to live out the Christian life with a Franciscan accent.

In a little town in Italy, nearly eight hundred years ago, Francis of Assisi renounced everything he owned to follow Christ with passionate and single-minded abandon. Even today, centuries later, this simple saint draws people around the world to his story of living in humility, love, and joy. Here in Following Francis, Susan Pitchford tells her own story of the Franciscan life, as a member of the Third Order, founded by Francis himself so that people from all walks of life can follow the saint’s ideal, without leaving their homes or occupations.

Pitchford learned that the Franciscan tradition isn’t the exclusive possession of monks cloistered in a monastery, but a spiritual path for ordinary people living in the twenty-first century.

Following Francis: The Franciscan Way for Everybody

Available for ordering at Wellsprings at S$31.90