John Paul II: A Light for the World, Essays and Reflections on the Papacy of John Paul II [Hardcover]

Mary Ann Walsh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 5, 2003

When Karol Wojtyla was elected Pope on October 16, 1978, he became the first Slavic Pope in history and the first non-Italian in 455 years. Taking the name John Paul II, the new Pope delivered a message in his first homily in St. Peter's Square that has resounded throughout his entire papacy: "Be not afraid!" Created for the occasion of his twenty-fifth anniversary as Pope, John Paul II: A Light for the World provides a celebration in photographs and words of the courageous pastor who guides more than one billion Catholics and has made his mark on history the world over. Elegantly designed and produced, John Paul II: A Light for the World features over 140 photographs--many of which seldom have been seen outside the Vatican--by official Vatican photographers who have captured the Pope's remarkable life and ministry for two and a half decades. These beautiful photographs are accompanied by selections from the Pope's own speeches and writings as well as essays and personal reflections by scholars and friends that provide insight into the public and private person of Pope John Paul II. Organized into three sections--Pastor, Pilgrim, Prophet--more than forty essays by staff of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops explore the depth and breadth of the themes central to John Paul's papacy, while nearly thirty personal reflections by cardinals, bishops, and others who have had personal encounters with the Pope reveal his profoundly human, and often humorous, side. A joint effort between the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Catholic Communications Campaign and Sheed & Ward, John Paul II: A Light for the World is the definitive commemoration of John Paul II's twenty-fifth anniversary as Pope. The book opens with a personal greeting from Angelo Cardinal Sodano, Vatican Secretary of State; a foreword by Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations; an introduction by Bishop Wilton D. Gregory, president of the USCCB; and a historical sketch by John Thavis, Rom

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As the pope's silver jubilee approaches, publishers are gearing up with all manner of tributes to the beloved pontiff. This coffee-table book, with memorable full-color images by official Vatican photographers and reflections by many people who have had personal encounters with John Paul II, may be the pick of the crop. As imprimaturs go, it has an impeccable pedigree: it is an official commemorative book commissioned by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Also, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan weighs in with a foreword highlighting the pope's commitment to international human rights. The book is divided into three sections, exploring the pope's roles as pastor (including his leadership in family life issues and his stand against sexual abuse in the priesthood); a pilgrim (highlighting the more than 700,000 miles the pope has traveled in his tenure); and prophet (discussing his ethical stance on issues such as human rights, racism, labor and the death penalty). Throughout, various cardinals, monsignori and archbishops share brief anecdotes about their personal encounters with the man who was born Karol Wojtyla. While some of these are so fawning as to remove any trace of humanity from the man, other remembrances are candid and humorous. The book's photographs, which span the course of his 25-year papacy, show him interacting with people all over the world, and also depict some private moments. The book closes with a brief chronology of John Paul II's life, as well as synopses of his encyclicals and other key writings.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Issued by the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the current pontificate, this commemorative collection of essays, brief reflections, and photographs is a loving tribute to Pope John Paul II. Since all the photos have been gathered from the archives of the official Vatican photographers and most of the essays have been penned by members of the clergy or employees of the church, there is nothing new or divisive to be found here. As a pastor, John Paul is portrayed reaching out to the masses; as a pilgrim, he has traveled the globe; and as a prophet, he is lauded for refining the meaning and the message of Roman Catholicism. Readers seeking a balanced analysis of an often controversial papacy should look elsewhere; those interested in an illustrated love letter to an elderly pontiff will be well pleased. Margaret Flanagan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Sheed & Ward (September 5, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580511422
• ISBN-13: 978-1580511421
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 10.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #956,625 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #98 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Catholicism > Popes

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WONDERFUL TABLE TOP BOOK, December 14, 2003

By 

Anthony R. Siligato (BROOKLYN, NEW YORK USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: John Paul II: A Light for the World, Essays and Reflections on the Papacy of John Paul II (Hardcover)

This is perhaps the best picture book of John Paul 11 there is. It was a picture book of the countries that he has visited, and was published just before his twenty-fifth anniversary of his being a pope. This was worth the money. It is wonderful.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous Pictorial Tribute to John Paul II, April 4, 2005

By 

K. Sartoris (Peterborough, NH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: John Paul II: A Light for the World, Essays and Reflections on the Papacy of John Paul II (Hardcover)

Published to coincide with John Paul II's 25th Papal anniversary in 2003, John Paul II: A Light for the World, is a stunningly beautiful tribute to the late pontiff. Rich with gorgeous photography, this beautifully designed book provides an intimate look at John Paul II and a view of the Vatican that is rarely seen outside its walls. The text (masterfully edited by Sr. Mary Ann Walsh) includes selections from the Pope's writings and speeches, essays by friends, scholars, and church leaders, as well as personal recollections that give us a glimpse of the humanity and humor of the man who led the Catholic Church for 27 years.

No doubt that with the passing of John Paul II, publishers will be rushing to slap together "tribute" books. However, I can't imagine a more thorough, beautifully-produced, or inspiring a volume as this. It is the ultimate commemoration of one of the world's great spiritual leaders.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Remembering and Celebrating Pope John Paul II, August 28, 2006

By 

Jan Peczkis "Scholar and Thinker" (Chicago IL, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: John Paul II: A Light for the World, Essays and Reflections on the Papacy of John Paul II (Hardcover)

This book not only contains a profusion of photos but also is quite informative. The reader gets a brief biography of the former Cardinal Wojtyla. One learns of the horrors of the Nazi German occupation, "Lolek's" forced labor in a stone quarry, his study for the priesthood, his lifelong interest in ethics, his love of the outdoors (hiking, skiing, canoeing, etc.). He was a quintessential Pole. After assuming the papacy, Pope John Paul II had Christmas dinner at Krakow with old friends.

It is ironic that the Communist authorities underrated him. He was an advocate of all, not just Catholics. He took a lead in ecumenism, becoming a pioneer of Christian unity. He forgave Mehmet Agca, the Turk who shot him. He revived the office of the deacon. He met with countless world leaders, including Fidel Castro. He believed that universities should be places of encounter with Christ. He reached out to people of all ages, and was an active participant in World Youth Days. It is no exaggeration to say that he "always had the personal touch".

This book is candid about controversial issues. It mentions such things as birth control and the death penalty.

There is a list of canonizations and beautifications performed by Pope John Paul II. The best-known saint canonized by this Pope was Father Maxilian Kolbe, canonized October 10, 1982. Father Kolbe had given his life in free exchange for another prisoner at the German death camp of Auschwitz.