Ralph Martin - The Urgency of the New Evangelization: Answering the Call

Endorsements for The Urgency of the New Evangelization: Answering the Call, by Ralph Martin

Christian faith is not a habit. Its not a useful moral code. Its not an exercise in nostalgia. Its a restlessness, a consuming fire in the heart to experience the love of Jesus Christ and then share it with others or its nothing at all. Ralph Martin compellingly captures in these pages the essence of the new evangelization as a new Pentecost and why conforming our lives to it is so vital for our own salvation and the salvation of the world around us.

Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Archbishop of Philadelphia

In The Urgency of the New Evangelization, Ralph Martin provides the proper urgency to the task of the New Evangelization. There is no urgency unless there is a call to holiness and evangelization founded on a personal grasp of the eternal consequences (heaven and hell) in this life of entering by the narrow gate (Mt 7:13). If we fail to grasp the presence of sin in our world and in our lives, there will be no need to be saved, and hence, no urgency. This book is a must to set the course.

Most Reverend Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz
Archbishop of Louisville

In The Urgency of the New Evangelization: Answering the Call, Ralph Martin proposes the clear rationale and compelling need for the whole Church to engage in a new evangelization. We have here a very accessible resource that I hope will help awaken and engage the laity in embracing the full implications of their Baptism and Confirmation.

Most Reverend Paul S. Coakley, S.T.L.
Archbishop of Oklahoma City

Be prepared! This text will challenge and unsettle you. With a prophetic passion and clarity, Ralph Martin reminds us of the reality of heaven and hell, entreating us urgently to seek for ourselves and to help lead others to the narrow gate that leads to life (Mt 7:13, 14).

Todd Graff, Director of Lay Formation,
Diocese of Winona

Here is a book that surely lives up to its title. If this book does not create a sense of urgency to evangelize, nothing can. Ralph Martin masterfully develops a biblically based summons to the critical work of evangelizing, a work on which depends the very salvation of countless souls. I highly recommend this book as essential reading for every pastor, parent, catechist, leader indeed, every member of the Church. It will light a passionate fire to evangelize in all who read it!

Msgr. Charles Pope, pastor, blogger,
and Our Sunday Visitor columnist

Ralph Martin has been leading the charge for renewal in the Church for several decades. This new book draws upon his profound knowledge of what is necessary for the New Evangelization. He effectively establishes that the primary reason for the urgency of the New Evangelization is that the eternal destinies of people we love indeed all people are at stake. He also clearly delineates the way in which every Catholic can contribute toward its success.

Janet Smith, author of Contraception Why Not
and holder of the Father Michael J. McGivney Chair
of Life Ethics at Sacred Heart Major Seminary
Detroit, Michigan

There is a lot of hype about the New Evangelization. This book makes a clear, focused and biblical case for it, helpfully tracing the theme from the Second Vatican Council. After reading it, you are called to decision. That is rare. It is also most welcome. This is a work that combines theology with a zealous pastoral urgency. Read it.

Gavin DCosta, Professor of Catholic Theology,
University of Bristol

Ralph Martins book raises the essential questions Why mission? Why bother? and explores them in ways that both challenge and comfort. By addressing the crisis of faith head-on, he reveals the necessary starting point for the New Evangelization. This book will provoke some powerful soul-searching. It is a valuable guide to a very necessary examination of conscience.

Sister Sara Butler, M.S.B.T.,
Professor Emerita of Dogmatic Theology,
University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein, IL, and member of the International Theological Commission

Like a voice crying out in the wilderness, Ralph Martin accurately assesses the need for the New Evangelization exhorted by Pope John Paul II and encouraged by Pope Benedict XVI. A prophetic and practical call to what Christians must do to aid humanity in not falling and to advance the full expression of the Good News of Jesus Christ for such a time as this. Be prepared to be called into mission and ministry for the sake of the Kingdom of God!

Johnnette Benkovic, founder of
Women of Grace and EWTN host

In The Urgency of the New Evangelization, Ralph Martin correctly identifies the need to evangelize and provides insights born of both faith and experience on how to do it. The book will be of particular value to the laity, many of whom continue to believe that the duty to evangelize falls mainly on the clergy and religious. Martin shows, from both Church documents and actual examples, the error of this view, and provides practical advice on how we laity can dispose ourselves to be instruments of building up of the Kingdom.

Colin Donovan, S.T.L., Vice President
for Theology, EWTN

The Urgency

of the New Evangelization:

Answering the Call

The Urgency

of the New Evangelization:

Answering the Call

Ralph Martin

With a biblical perspective by
Mary Healy and Peter Williamson

Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division

Our Sunday Visitor, Inc.

Huntington, Indiana 46750

Nihil Obstat:

Msgr. Michael Heintz, Ph.D.

Censor Librorum

Imprimatur:

Kevin C. Rhoades

Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend

May 13, 2013

The Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur are official declarations that a book is free from doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.

The Scripture citations used in the main body of this work are taken from the Second Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible (RSV), copyright 1965, 1966, and 2006 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise noted, quotations from the Old Testament used in the appendix are taken from the Catholic Edition of the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible (NRSV), copyright 1989 and 1993 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise noted, quotations from the New Testament used in the appendix are taken from the Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible (RSV), copyright 1965 and 1966 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture texts marked NAB are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C., and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All rights reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Quotations from Vatican and papal documents are copyright 2013 by Libreria Editrice Vaticana and are from the Vatican website, www.vatican.va.

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