Customer Reviews

Virginity: A Positive Approach to Celibacy for the Sake of the Kingdom of Heaven

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It is sad that the other reviewers have narrowed the scope of this book into a simple essay on celibacy; though it does treat extensively of this topic, Cantalamessa also treats of virginity as a virtue to be embraced by all of Christ's faithful, whether married or religious. Wondering how married people are to remain chaste? Read this book! His beautiful mastery of language, his exegesis, and his skill in writing make this book a must-read for all who desire another light on the path to holiness.

Obviously not all people are called to lifetime celibacy. But for those who are, either through their own choosing or by God's grace, this is a wonderful primer. There is much more to celibacy than abstaining from sex. Cantelamessa gives a deeply spiritual and yet completely practical treatment to the subject. Great as a reference for teen youth groups or for adults.

wonderful well written book. Worth looking at. An excellent presentation of this vocation and witness within the world.

Cantalamessa breaks this book into two sections, one detailing the biblical basis of virginity, and the other explaining how this is to be lived. He doesn't arrive at any earth-shattering conclusions, rather his work is characterized by a beautiful simplicity that presents the truths of faith with great love. While virginity is often seen at best as a heroic sacrifice or at worst as something that must be endured, Cantalamessa approaches it from a much more positive position and deals extensively on the love and grace of such a life. This is a wonderful work, and by it the reader will be able to see the love Cantalamessa has for the very sort of life he leads, and ultimately for God who has blessed Him with this life.

Raniero Cantalamenssa's short book _Virginity: A Positive Approach to Celibacy for the Kingdom of Heaven_ presents a case for the practice of celibacy in the Roman Catholic Church. Cantalamessa's approach is a self-styled "positive" one and he goes to great lengths to avoid the familiar "women are the devil" arguments found for instance in the _Hammer of Witches_ and the Book of Sirach. He also avoids the "Neo-Platonic" philosophies and speculations of such Christian illuminaries as St. John Chrysostom and instead keeps to simple exhortations based on the example of following Christ. The author notes that beyond the well-known examples of St. Paul and the Virgin Mary in status, Christ himself is the "Arch-Virgin" (in Patristic thought Archiparthenos) and the creation of the world by the Holy Trinity is itself virginal. Virginity and celibacy is also a symbol of the resurrection in which there will be "neither marriage or giving in marriage." Celibacy remains a state blessed by God along of course with married life. Cantalamessa's approach is a bit overly sentimental and it is the old-time Neo-Platonic philosophy that gives the practice of celibacy its greatest exaltation. I recommend it as a basic introduction to the topic but it is not the best source for a broad analysis and historical perspective on celibacy in the Christian tradition.