Go in Peace: A Gift of Enduring Love [Paperback]

Paul II John (Author), Joseph Durepos (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2007

Why do we suffer? How can we pray? How can we live as followers of Jesus in an unbelieving world? These are some of the questions the late Pope John Paul II addresses in this collection of his most intimate words, drawn from his many writings during his quarter century as pope. The material in Go in Peace is arranged in twelve chapters that correspond to the themes that dominated his papacy. Editor Joseph Durepos emphasizes the words John Paul directed to lay Catholics and to the world at large. They are memorable, heartfelt, often striking words that articulate an astonishingly powerful vision of what it means to be a Christian in today's world.

Go in Peace displays and preserves the compassion, intellect, and poetry of the most visible and influential Christian leader of modern times.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Hailed by many as a voice of moral clarity and reviled by others for contributing to a post-reform retrenchment in Catholicism, Pope John Paul II remains an intriguing figure in the waning days of his papacy. In this compilation, Loyola Press's senior acquisitions editor Durepos presents the major themes of John Paul's writings and addresses in the form of a devotional to encourage use of the book in lectio divina, reflective sacred reading. Although much of what John Paul has said during his long tenure as leader of the world's billion-plus Catholics has been highly public, the sheer volume of his words is daunting for anyone interested in his thoughts about a given topic. Durepos has performed a valuable service by synthesizing the pope's thoughts in an easy-to-read format that inspires prayer and reflection. He draws on diverse sources, including the pope's letters, encyclicals, addresses before thousands of pilgrims, and messages to smaller gatherings of bishops. Predictably, some of the strongest and most prophetic words included here are those John Paul has spoken on morality, Christian conscience and the family. Even though a few of the chapters deal specifically with such Catholic practices as the Eucharist and the Mass, most of the content is relevant to all Christians.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"...a truly radical critique of most Western thought since the Enlightenment." -- Philip Jenkins, The Washington Post

"A gift to every Catholic and to all people of good will..." -- Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago

"At its heart, [Go In Peace] is a truly radical critique of Western thought since the Enlightenment." -- Philip Jenkins, Washington Post

"Go In Peace distills the teachings of Pope John Paul II--the most important spiritual leader of our time." -- Scott Hahn, author of The Lamb's Supper

"Go In Peace fits the description it will soon earn: a spiritual classic for our time." -- Eugene Kennedy, author of The Unhealed Wound

"Go In Peace is like making a retreat with the Pope as your spiritual director." -- Andrew Greeley

"Go in Peace is a gift to every Catholic." -- Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago

"Go in Peace is a private audience with John Paul II...a spiritual classic for our time." -- Eugene Kennedy, author of The Unhealed Wound

"To read Go in Peace is like making a retreat with the Pope as your spiritual director." -- Andrew Greeley

"We have in this revolutionary volume, the Holy Father's living testament, a spiritual legacy that will endure for the ages." -- Scott Hahn, author of The Lamb's Supper --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Loyola Press; First Paperback Printing edition (March 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0829424725
• ISBN-13: 978-0829424720
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,048,179 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Collection, April 27, 2005

By 

a grateful reader (south bend, IN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Go in Peace: A Gift of Enduring Love (Hardcover)

This is the collection of the late pope's writings that I have returning to again and again over the past month. It has been thoughtfully edited by the same person who compiled NO GREATER LOVE, a wonderful selection of the writings of Mother Teresa. It carefully organizes John Paul II's most personal thoughts into twelve important themes that form the heart of John Paul's beliefs about being a Christian in the modern world. And it reveals a pastoral dimension that is sometimes missing from other selections of his work.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Book!, April 5, 2005

By 

Kathleen Greenholdt - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Go in Peace: A Gift of Enduring Love (Hardcover)

As a modern Catholic in the U.S., I have to admit that what goes on in Rome seems so distant from my life most of the time. This book really made me feel that the teachings of this Pope were, and still are, relevant to me, a less-than-perfect spiritual practitioner. John Paul II wasn't just some powerful figurehead of a giant organization (whose members are often at odds with its ancient, Rome-dictated policies). He was, in fact, a human being whose tremendous capacity to love others extended even to the likes of me.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars John Paul 101 -- for study and for prayer, April 8, 2005

By 

thehomefront (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Go in Peace: A Gift of Enduring Love (Hardcover)

"Go in Peace" is the best way to look back over John Paul II's remarkable pontificate. Durepos has gathered the clearest and most powerful statements of all the major themes. It's impossible to understand the 20th century without understanding this pope and his role in its history. To read this book is to begin to understand. It's also a great way to jump-start your prayer life. Reading these meditations is almost like praying with the man himself. In fact, now that he's gone to his reward, it CAN be a time of truly praying with the man!