Synopses & Reviews
The New York Times bestselling historian takes on a pressing question in modern religionwill Pope Francis embrace change? Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Americas, offers a challenge to his church. Can he bring about significant change? Should he?
Garry Wills, the prizewinning historian, argues that changes have been the evidence of life in the Catholic Church. It has often changed, sometimes with bad consequences, more often with goodgood enough to make it perdure. In this brilliant and incisive study, he gives seven examples
of deep and serious changes that have taken place (or are taking place) within the last century. None of them was effected by the pope all by himself.
As Wills contends, it is only by examining the history of the Church that we can understand Pope Franciss and the Churchs challenges, and, as history shows, any changes that meet those challenges will have impact only if the Church, the people of God, support them. In reading the Churchs history, Wills considers the lessons Pope Francis seems to have learned. The challenge that Pope Francis offers the Church is its ability to undertake new spiritual adventures, making it a poor church for the poor, after the example of Jesus.
Review
A glorious book on that most uniquely Catholic of Christian devotions. (Andrew M. Greeley, author of
The Catholic Revolution)
Wills has given us... a deeply personal essay about far more than just the rosary. (Phyllis Tickle, compiler of The Divine Hours)
Garry Wills retrieves one of the treasures of Catholic faith.... More, this book is itself a stirring prayer. (James Carroll, author of Constantine's Sword)
Synopsis
In an age when self -help methods abound and meditation is a common prescriptive, Garry Wills-one of the most respected writers on religious topics today-offers an extraordinary journey through one of the oldest aids to spiritual contemplation.
Drawing together history and readings from scripture, Wills explains the beads on the rosary and the moments in Christ's life they represent, illustrating each mystery with a stunning Tintoretto painting. The result is an illuminating and poignant exploration of the power of prayer that will edify and inspire readers.
Synopsis
An exploration of the spiritual significance, practice, and history of the rosary explains the symbolism of the beads as they represent mysteries and events in the lives of Jesus and Mary, in an account that reflects on biblical teachings and cites the ways in which the rosary can reconnect readers to their faith. By the author of Saint Augustine. Reprint. 75,000 first printing.
Synopsis
Look out for a new book from Garry Wills, What The Qur'an Meant, coming fall 2017.
In an age when self -help methods abound and meditation is a common prescriptive, Garry Wills-one of the most respected writers on religious topics today-offers an extraordinary journey through one of the oldest aids to spiritual contemplation.
Drawing together history and readings from scripture, Wills explains the beads on the rosary and the moments in Christ's life they represent, illustrating each mystery with a stunning Tintoretto painting. The result is an illuminating and poignant exploration of the power of prayer that will edify and inspire readers.
Synopsis
In an age when self -help methods abound and meditation is a common prescriptive, Garry Willsone of the most respected writers on religious topics todayoffers an extraordinary journey through one of the oldest aids to spiritual contemplation.
Drawing together history and readings from scripture, Wills explains the beads on the rosary and the moments in Christs life they represent, illustrating each mystery with a stunning Tintoretto painting. The result is an illuminating and poignant exploration of the power of prayer that will edify and inspire readers.
About the Author
Garry Wills is one of the most respected writers on religion today. He is the author of Saint Augustine’s Childhood, Saint Augustine’s Memory, and Saint Augustine’s Sin, the first three volumes in this series, as well as the Penguin Lives biography Saint Augustine. His other books include “Negro President”: Jefferson and the Slave Power, Why I Am a Catholic, Papal Sin, and Lincoln at Gettysburg, which won the Pulitzer Prize.