Description
This inspiring choice of homilies delivered by Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) over six decades offers deep theological and historical insights on the meaning of the life and the witness of a Catholic priest.
When Pope Benedict XVI inaugurated the Year for Priests in 2009, he did so together with celebrating the 150th anniversary of the death of John Vianney, the patron saint of all parish priests. Benedict’s purpose for that special year is similar purpose of this book of homilies–to deepen the commitment of all priests to interior renewal for the sake of a stronger and more incisive witness to the Gospel in nowadays’s world. As St. John Vianney would steadily say, “The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus.” This touching expression makes us reflect on the immense gift that priests represent, not only for the Church but for all mankind.
Contemporary women and men need priests to be distinguished by their decided witness to Christ. These homilies are supposed to light up and to inspire priests to renew their commitment to “teaching and learning the love of God”. The homilies cover all kinds of important topics on the priesthood, all deeply rooted in Scripture, including acting in persona Christi, becoming an offering with Christ for the salvation of mankind, being there for God’s mercy, and witnessing Christian joy.