Loving the Church Spiritual Exercises Preached in the Presence of Pope John Paul II

by von Schonborn, Christoph Cardinal

• ISBN13: 9780898706765
• ISBN10: 0898706769
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-02-01
• Publisher: Ignatius Press

Summary

In this series of retreat meditations preached to Pope John Paul II and the papal household during a Lenten retreat, Cardinal Christoph Schonborn uses the Catechism of the Catholic Church (of which he was the general editor) and Sacred Scripture to lead us to a deeper union with Christ by helping us to understand and love the Church, His bride. To love the Church, which the Catechism calls "a living communion with Jesus Christ," we must see her with the eyes of Jesus, who "loved the Church and gave Himself up for her." As he draws us into a deeper understanding of the Church, who she is and where the deepest wellsprings of her being lie are the theme of his meditations. He also illustrates many points by using the thoughts of the new doctor of the Church, St. Therese of Lisieux. She found her vocation to be "love in the heart of the Church" and can offer us a renewed and vital vision of the Church.

Author Biography

Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn, the Archbishop of Vienna, is a renowned spiritual teacher and writer. He was a student of Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) and with him was co-editor of the monumental Catechism of the Catholic Church. He has authored numerous books including Jesus, the Divine Physician, Chance or Purpose?, Behold, God's Son, and Living the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Table of Contents

Translator's Note	9	(2)
Abbreviations	11	(2)
Introduction	13	(10)
FIRST DAY: The Church was Already Present in Figure at the Beginning of the World Meditations:	23	(38)
1. The Church is the Goal of all Things	23	(9)
2. Heaven and Earth	32	(7)
3. The Visible World	39	(11)
4. "God Carries Out His Plan: Divine Providence" (CCC 302)	50	(11)
SECOND DAY: The Church--Prepared for in the Old Covenant Meditations:	61	(38)
1. Whence Comes Evil?	61	(10)
2. The Protoevangelium	71	(9)
3. The Covenant with Noah	80	(8)
4. The Old Covenant	88	(11)
THIRD DAY: The Church--Instituted in the Last Days Meditations:	99	(38)
1. "And the Word Was Made Flesh"	99	(9)
2. The Mysteries of the Life of Jesus	108	(9)
3. "And on This Rock...."	117	(10)
4. The Church Born from the Side of Christ	127	(10)
FOURTH DAY: The Church--Revealed by the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit Meditations:	137	(38)
1. "He Gave Up His Spirit"	137	(9)
2. "Look upon the Faith of Thy Church!"	146	(8)
3. Prayer--The Spokesman of Hope	154	(11)
4. The Love That Is Friendship	165	(10)
FIFTH DAY: The Church Will Be Perfected in Glory at the End of Time Meditations:	175	(36)
1. The Pilgrim Church	175	(10)
2. The Communion of Saints	185	(9)
3. "Tertio Millennio Adveniente"	194	(9)
4. "Rise Up to Meet the Bridegroom!"	203	(8)
CONCLUDING MEDITATION: "In the Heart of the Church I Will Be Love!"	211