Review
Chorpenning has the ability to bring to life and to make relevant, without manipulation or forced interpretations, the texts and the thought of a 16th-century author. This is a remarkable achievement and an example for other scholars to imitate. This book is also a valuable and estimable contribution to the theology of St. Joseph, the fundamentals of which recently have been closely examined and explained by Pope John Paul II in his apostolic exhortation Guardian of the Redeemer Carmelus; Joseph Chorpenning not only gives us a brilliant translation of Gracin's book, but his own commentaries, following each of the chapters, make use of all the major books on St. Joseph from the 16th century to the present....This is a book that needs to be read many times...This translation of Gracin's book is for the reader an informative experience, but more importantly it is a spiritual experience
This book should appeal to anyone who is interested in the lives of the saints. . . It should appeal to anyone who carries the name of 'Joseph.' It belongs in the library of every Catholic institution named for St. Joseph-parishes, schools, hospitals, and other institutions. --Homiletic & Pastoral Review
This book should appeal to anyone who is interested in the lives of the saints. . . It should appeal to anyone who carries the name of 'Joseph.' It belongs in the library of every Catholic institution named for St. Joseph-parishes, schools, hospitals, and other institutions. --Homiletic & Pastoral Review
From the Publisher
The Discalced Carmelite friar Jernimo Gracin (1545-1614) was St. Teresa of Avila's religious superior, spiritual director, and closest friend and collaborator. After Teresa had been cured of a crippling illness through the intercession of St. Joseph, she labored tirelessly to spread devotion to this saint. Gracin made a major contribution to the realization of this dimension of the Teresian apostolate by publishing his Summary of the Excellencies of St. Joseph (1597), which became the most important and popular treatise on St. Joseph of the early modern period.
Just Man makes available twenty selections from the Summary, translated into English for the first time. Each selection is introduced by a pen and ink drawing executed specifically for this volume by a contemporary artist and is accompanied by a commentary. The anthology is preceded by an introductory essay that gives the reader a firm hold on Gracin and the Summary in their historical context, as well as offers an overview of Gracin's life and writings and of the Summary's editions, origin, spirituality, and influence on art.
