An Invitation to Joy [Hardcover]

Pope John Paul II (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 16, 1999

An unprecedented testament to the enduring power of faith and devotion, this inspiring and sumptuously illustrated work showcases the luminous writings of his Holiness on God, love and humanity. John Paul II, the most charismatic religious leader of our time, is a man whose actions truly reflect his beliefs. At the dawn of the new Millennium, AN INVITATION TO JOY brings together a selection of John Paul's messages with the most poignant photographs documenting his life both before and after his election to papacy. For the first time, here is an illustrated devotional keepsake album that distills the essence of his message and shows the intimate connection between his words and deeds. Three main sections, THE HUMAN FAMILY, THE PEOPLE OF GOD, THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON, encompass the themes that are most important to the Pontiff. Resonant passages on everything from love and family, suffering and evil, freedom and human rights, other religions and the role of women are coupled with striking photographs. A fourth section, A LIFETIME OF DEVOTION, provides a portrait of the Pope's entire life in pictures, from his early childhood to his current day-to-day activities in the Vatican. Reflecting the Pope's all-embracing outreach to people around the world, AN INVITATION TO JOY will inspire both those inside and outside the Catholic Church.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Invitation to Joy is an indispensable book for anyone who wants to understand the papacy of John Paul II. It is a straightforward, simple pictorial memoir that collects excerpts from the pope's writings and speeches (including one previously unpublished original prayer), sewn together with Vatican-approved commentary by former Time correspondent Greg Burke. In four chapters (entitled "The Human Family"; "The People of God"; "Human Dignity"; and "A Devotional Life"), John Paul II presents an epigrammatic, rough-cut portrait of his life and religious vision. ("'Life' is one of the most beautiful titles which the Bible attributes to God. He is the living God.") Each chapter contains dozens of color photographs of the pope, in almost every conceivable setting--from his own confessional in the church of St. John Lateran to New York's Central Park. (Many of these photographs sprawl across two full pages, and their emotional impact is difficult to describe in words.)

Archbishop Jorge Maria Mejia, archivist and librarian of the Holy Roman Church, has written an exuberant introduction to the book, which is the best possible summary of the message that John Paul II offers in the pages that follow: "Here is a man, known around the world, who proclaims with gestures and words that life is worth living: that it has a meaning, that it is not closed off between two inscrutable abysses, that it is not inside itself, but is open to others; that love is possible and enriching; that all of us, men and women, whatever the hue of our skins, are called to form a family, with God."

From Booklist

Definitely a gift book, this sampler of snippets from the pope's public utterances complements the recent biographies by Jonathan Kwitny (Man of the Century, 1997) and George Weigel (Witness to Hope, reviewed in this issue) very handsomely. Burke made the selection of sayings and summarily introduces each of the four sections into which he sorts them, "The Human Family," "The People of God," "The Dignity of the Human Person," and "A Lifetime of Devotion." Burke also introduces the first three sections' subdivisions, which corral statements on such themes as "Family" and "Women" in the first; "Mary" and "Other Christians, Other Religions" in the second; and "Human Rights" and "Freedom" in the third. Perhaps Burke's share of the book's wordage is larger than the pope's, for much of the page-acreage is allotted to big, beautiful colorplates (many of which occupy one or two whole pages) of photographs taken during the pope's many travels to meet and cheer the faithful throughout the world. Really, the pictures recommend the book, though the choice of sayings is admirable and their deployment sometimes strategically impressive, as when the subsection "For Life," concerned with some of the pope's most controversial positions, is followed by the subsection "Human Rights," full of his most acclaimed sentiments. Ray Olson

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (November 16, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684870339
• ISBN-13: 978-0684870335
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,716,819 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and Moving, March 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: An Invitation to Joy (Hardcover)

This book is deeply inspirational. What a great gift Pope John Paul II is to the world! The photograph of the Holy Father and Mother Theresa smiling into each other's eyes is incredible. This book is a personal treasure.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars -Very intense,astounding!...A golden light for anyone-, November 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: An Invitation to Joy (Hardcover)

In his most recent account, His Holiness Pope John Paul the II is still representing a truly Christian view of not only Europe but the whole world. John Paul the II gives concrete examples of how you can be happy and live "joyfully" through the "living spirit". The Pope says that you must be humble and completely surrender to GOD. Only then can a "true beleiver" find a bit of peice in "the world of men". He goes on to site many examples, idieas , and even mentions some of the great saints in thr tradition! ...

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful array of photos, January 6, 2001

By 

Adam (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Invitation to Joy (Hardcover)

This book contains little excerpts from various speeches and works of Pope John Paul II. It also contains a brilliant collection of photos taken of the Pope over the years. It is an inspirational book, and a GREAT collection of photos, if you are looking for pics of our wonderful Pope.