Gift and Mystery: On the Fiftieth Anniversary of My Priestly Ordination

While I was moved by his words, I kept thinking that I should have been paying attention to John Paul II (and my own faith which was sadly lacking). I had been paying more attention to JPII as his body began to fail. I thought JP II, during the many audiences he had granted, was struggling to make it throughout many (not all) of these meetings ; but he also appeared to have this aura of total peace and I could see his lips continuing to move after he had met this dignatary or that one. After reading his book (and several others) I learned that his life was a constant prayer with God. This news gave me hope, maybe I haven't lost my faith, I carried on a regular conversation with God all the time! JP II has helped me feel better about the direction my thoughts and feelings were heading...he gave me some of His Peace. I don't remember which verse states, "Peace, not the peace of this world, but the PEACE I give you."So strongly did I feel the words of JP II, that I let go of several issues that were draining my limited energy, taking time from the people I love, and left me feeling exhusted all the time. I was able to give these issues to God. Some of the issues were over 30yrs old, some were less than a year. Each time I happen to look to my bedside table with this book sitting on top of a few other books I am using together to re-learn what I truly do know, I see this smile in his eyes (it's a really small twinkle) and I feel that both Pope John Paul II and God nodding to each other as if God was to say, "I told you that you would continue your good works through death" and JP II saying ,"yes Lord and another is coming right behind her."I definitely "got" quite a bit out of this book, even as small as it is...we all should sit silently and just listen sometime, because HE is talking back. Pope John Paul II taught me this, in this small book of occasional twisting sentences and powerful paragraphs.Thank you for taking the time to read my review. I hope that this book might touch you as it has me.

As you might expect from such a great person, the Pope's book provides few insights into the Pope himself. He does show how our own lives can influence others, especially in a cumulative way, as the he tells of all of those who influenced his entering the priesthood. He cites the religiosity of his father; the holiness of Jan Tyranowski; the writings of St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, and St. Louis Marie de Montfort; the devotions in his parish, to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and of the brown scapular. The reader can't help but wonder if there is a link between the lack of devotions today and the lack of vocations today.A priest's life is challenging. He must be attentive and sympathetic; critical and watchful with regard to historical developments; a giver of Christ; a spiritual father -- especially in the Confessional; holy; constantly training, studying and updating; promoting the family; defending mankind; in dialog with the youth; in dialog with the culture; intellectual and scholarly; and living the Gospel.But a priest's life is most rewarding. The priest is "a steward of the mysteries of God." An essential part of his mission is fulfilled in the Confessional. The priest is an essential being in the only suitable offering that man can make to God, the offering of God-made-man, an offering made at every Mass. The priest is so united to Christ at Mass that he is "in the person of Christ." What a beautiful reflection on the Mass is offered by the Pope!The challenge of the priesthood seems overwhelming. It would be without God. It is "a mystery of divine election."Every parent of a potential priest should read this book.

This is the moving story of Pope Saint John Paul the Great's vocation. Its origin in his small family, and its growth as he matured. A wonderful slender volume in which you feel that you have learned much about a great man's outlook and disposition - what made him GREAT! I loved reading it and it also led me to examine my own conscience to see if they were on a par with his Holiness' humility and gratitude to the Lord Jesus Christ.

One more great book of our beloved John Paul II. Every book I own from Pope John Paul are so well written. Understandable and all making complete sense of life. He was a great person that left, and was an example to the world on how we must never loose hope even in the darkest times. We must always seek for the light of GOD to guide us and protect us so we can live life to its fullest, and be witnesses of God's Faith to the believers and the non believers. We will always create confusion among others for the way we live our life, but that is the mystery of Faith, of Life, and the way we love GOD.

words that not only astound and mystify, but also and always envelope one as with each word and page to ever glorify GOD

This book serves as a companion to Rise Let us be on Our Way, but it also stands quite well on its own. In it JPII discusses various phases of his priestly journey, various challenges he faced, and various influences that supported him along the way. John Paul had a true gift for beautiful and clear writing, and it shines through in this book. The only drawback I found were about twenty of what looked like charcoal drawings in the middle of the book. They were allright I suppose, but I could have done without them.

This was my first amazon used book purchase. I was apprehensive, but it proved to be a great experience. Book arrived quickly and in the shape promised. Description indicated a sticker on cover... I was able to scratch it off the paper jacket without any damage. This book was for school summer reading assignment - this purchase was easier and cheaper than the gas and time required to go to the library!! And the book is probably in better shape than one at the library!

Delivered as promised and the book is in perfect condition!

Ótima qualidade. Capa dura. Produto raro de achar.