Rise, Let Us Be on Our Way [Hardcover]

Pope John Paul II (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 28, 2004

Following the success of the international bestseller Crossing the Threshold of Hope, Pope John Paul II provides the world with a glimpse into his past in RISE, LET US BE ON OUR WAY. Chronicling the years he spent as a bishop and later archbishop in Krakow, Poland through his election as the first Polish Pope in 1978, he recounts everything from communist efforts to suppress the church in Poland to his efforts to adopt a new and more open style of pastoral ministry. With recollections on his life as well as his thoughts on the issues facing the world now, Pope John Paul II offers words of wisdom in this book that will appeal to people of any faith looking to strengthen their spirituality.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Pope John Paul II leads over one billion Catholics worldwide, but he thinks of himself as a loving father figure. In this meditative book, he invokes the titular phrase (words that Jesus Christ used in the Garden of Gethsemane to call his disciples to him) to urge readers to "go forth full of trust in Christ." The Pope describes how he himself has done so and starts this book where Gift and Mystery (1996) left off—with his ordination as a bishop in Poland in 1958. The first chapters are the most strictly autobiographical, but he quickly turns to matters of faith, discussing everything from the spiritual meaning of a bishop’s miter and crosier to the need for clergy to talk with scientists and other intellectuals. Naturally, since he has served as a bishop (of Krakow, of Rome) for almost 50 years, the Pope devotes a lot of space to a bishop’s duties. His discussion of these duties provides openings for him to remember important occasions in his past, such as his pastoral visit to the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico. Later chapters deal with the Second Vatican Council, which he participated in as a young bishop. The prose style is that of a many-faceted sermon, with Biblical quotations woven throughout and themes such as the importance of telling the truth, staying celibate and giving to charity heavily reinforced. Although the book occasionally feels like a guide to the Episcopal ministry, it’s sure to gratify those hungry for his instruction and inspiring faith, as well as non-Catholics interested in his philosophy.
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About the Author

Karol Wojtyla was born in Wadowice, Poland, on May 18, 1920. He was ordained a priest in 1946, and named auxiliary bishop of Krakow in 1958, and archbishop of Krakow in 1964. On October 16, 1978, he was elected Pope and assumed the name John Paul II. In 1994 he published, together with Vittorio Messori, Crossing the Threshold of Hope. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; First Edition edition (September 28, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446577812
• ISBN-13: 978-0446577816
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,063,932 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiration and Instruction, November 24, 2004

By 

Dennis Phillips "The Book Friar" (Bulls Gap, Tennessee USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rise, Let Us Be on Our Way (Hardcover)

I think that it is incumbent on me to preface this review by admitting that it would be extremely difficult for me to award a book written by the Holy Father anything less than five stars. The very high regard I feel for the Papacy and the current occupant of that office may very well cloud my judgment and anyone who reads this review should keep that in mind.

That said, I found this to be a very well written and interesting little book. John Paul II wrote this book for the most part as a book of instruction for his Bishops. Within it's pages he lays out in a very clear way what he thinks the duties of a Bishop are and he does this by telling the story of his years as a Bishop in Poland. The Pope makes it very clear that while the first priority of a Bishop is to preach the Gospel, he must also be a shepherd to his flock. Again and again His Holiness hammers on this point and makes it very clear that he expects his Bishops to get out of their office and be among the people. He is very proud of the fact that even with his Pontifical duties he has visited almost every Parish under his official care as Bishop of Rome.

This book would never have been published in this manner however if it were only useful to Bishops and there is indeed much information here for everyone else. Many people of all faiths are fascinated by the Pope's struggle with the Communist authorities in Poland and many of the stories in this book deal with that subject. There are also a fair number of accounts of the Nazi occupation and the brave efforts of the Polish people to rid themselves of this curse. There is little doubt that the writings of this Pope will be invaluable to future historians as they delve into 20th century Europe. These stories of a courageous people who risked so much in the pursuit of freedom, not only to worship but also the freedom to live their lives in a free and open society are truly inspiring.

Finally, this book although written for the Bishops is not written in a way that will put off the average reader. With the exception of a few references to Church documents that bear their titles in Latin there is little here that will be out of reach to almost any reader. Catholics will of course find this book to be more interesting than will other faiths but people of almost any religious inclination will be able to find inspiration here. This book may be small but it packs a huge punch.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Meet the Holy Father as a Person, March 25, 2005

By 

Sam Adams "Catholic teen" (MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rise, Let Us Be on Our Way (Hardcover)

I always have known that the Holy Father is a theological mastermind. I've read many of his encyclicals, but I never read met him as a person until I read this book. It follows his days from bishop-elect to auxillary, then archbishop, cardinal, and finally pope. He speaks of the importance of the role of bishop, and how he fulfilled the job, both instructing his brother bishops to follow certain things, but he also says not to make the same mistakes, and mentions them.

I feel now, that I know Karol Wojtyla the man, and I love him like a father.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rise, Let Us Be On Our Way, April 20, 2005

By 

S. Burek (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rise, Let Us Be on Our Way (Hardcover)

This book captured my spirit. I felt the Pope becoming my very own father and arousing my youthful spirit. I felt for the humiliation the Church and the people in Poland experienced during those years of Hitler's invasion and Communism.
John Paul II speaks of his interests, circumstances, the courage of others that influenced him, and God's words confirming him and leading him onward.
All his life journey, like ours, is in the hands of God no matter what prevails.
I was impressed, but not surprised to understand how prayerful and dedicated John Paul II was to the spiritual life, (of Christ)connecting to others, the circumstances he had before him, and rising up to meet them with acceptance.
The book is for all; no matter you are a bishop, a student, or a "nobody". We are all the same to God.