Pope Francis - The Joy of Discipleship: Reflections from Pope Francis on Walking with Christ

The capacity for joy takes its root in hope. Pope Francis is our generations prophet of hope and thus our prophet of joy. This is him at his best, befuddling our unhappy categories, offering a vision of hope and mercy, and showing us in his own person the joy found in an earthy, cheerful discipleship.

Ronald Rolheiser OMI, President, Oblate School of Theology

According to Pope Francis, Gods compassionate love for us and our responsibility to love one another, especially the poor and marginalized, are central to evangelization. Gods love fills us with joy, which we want to share with others. Francis preaches the Gospel, not the catechism. He is more concerned about how we live our faith than how we explain it.

Thomas J. Reese, SJ, Senior Analyst, National Catholic Reporter and author of Inside the Vatican: The Politics and Organization of the Catholic Church

If one is seeking inspiration from Pope Francis, The Joy of Discipleship is the best compilation out there.

Mark E. Thibodeaux, SJ, author of Gods Voice Within and Reimagining the Ignatian Examen

Pope Francis is a truly happy man. He radiates joy, love, and indescribable peace. All this comes through, too, in this fine collection of his homilies, talks, and writings, compiled and edited by James Campbell. I feel sure that those who read these inspiring pages will be enriched and experience something of that joy, love, and peace expressed through the life of our beloved pope.

Elisabetta Piqu, Correspondent for La Nacin and author of Pope Francis: Life and Revolution

James Campbells seamless compilation brings out the extraordinary vitality of Pope Franciss message of joy and mercy spoken to a wounded world. The gospel is good news. Christ is alive. The Holy Spirit is at work, bringing hope and healing. The pope has something important to saylisten to him!

Jim Manney, author of A Simple, Life-Changing Prayer and Whats Your Decision?

Magnificent. A beautiful invitation by a truly holy man to meet the one at the center of his life: Jesus Christ.

James Martin, SJ, author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage

Pope Francis knows that the encounter with Jesus Christ puts our lives on a new path. Our life of faith is a journey that we are making with Jesuswalking with him, sharing his life, traveling in the company of brothers and sisters who have accepted his invitation: Follow me. In this inspiring book, our Holy Father offers us bread for the journeyto deepen our friendship with Jesus and our fellowship in continuing his mission of mercy in our world.

Most Reverend Jos H. Gomez, Archbishop of Los Angeles

A wonderfully inspiring and stirring resource capturing the depth of Pope Franciss magnificent vision and mission. His powerful message speaks of the richness of Catholic story and tradition. Walking with Jesus: A Way Forward for the Church is an exceptional source of wisdom and guidance for all involved in the ministry of religious education.

Edith Prendergast, RSC, Director of Religious Education, Archdiocese of Los Angeles

What a wonderful addition to our knowledge of the fresh and inspiring message of a revolutionary pope from the ends of the earth!

Allan Figueroa Deck, SJ, Casassa Chair and Professor of Theology, Loyola Marymount University

This collection offers fascinating insight into the mind and heart of someone who has rapidly become one of the worlds most beloved public figures.

Publishers Weekly

Refreshingly humane, focusing on people rather than institutions. Admirers of Francis and students of Church history alike will find this a useful introduction to the pontiffs thought.

Kirkus Reviews

A refreshing book, a true treasure chest of wisdom, which will both comfort and unsettle any attentive reader.

Englewood Review of Books

I cant even tell you the sense of wonder and gratitude I am feeling reading The Church of Mercy. Every Christian in at least the western world should read this man... at least read enough to know what Christianity has come upon or been given or will be watching develop over the next few years. This man sees, and is of, the Kingdom of God.

Phyllis Tickle, author of The Great Emergence

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2016 Libreria Editrice Vaticana

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2016 Compilation by Loyola Press

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eBook ISBN: 978-0-8294-4388-2

Based on the print edition: 978-0-8294-4387-5

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One word that has most often summarized the teaching ministry of Pope Francis is mercy, the mercy of God toward us and the response to that mercy that we, his people, must also manifest. No less important a word for the pope is joy. When the love of God, poured out in mercy, touches us, it cannot help but produce joy and gladness. The Holy Father has repeatedly spoken of the human hearts desire for joy. The joy of the disciple is a deeper reality, a joy that comes from the closeness of God, the closeness of God in our lives. Surprised by this joy, we are compelled to witness to it. This witnessing is the mark of a true disciple of Jesus Christ.

James P. Campbell has gathered together sections of Pope Franciss homilies, speeches, and other documents and orchestrated them into several themes that specify the reality of Christian joy. The book is a kind of modern-day catena, or chain, each citation a link that highlights a facet of the joy of a disciple. One facet is Christs resurrection, another is the presence of God in the family, another is the Church, and still another is the Holy Spirit as the soul of mission and of joy. In all, some eleven topics are considered with one goal in mind: to describe how the realities expressed by the pope on each topic bring about, enhance, or challenge us as disciples of JOY. For Pope Francis, joy is contagious and becomes a verification principle for a beloved son or daughter as a witness to Jesus Christ.

The Holy Father has spoken or written, even in his brief time as pope, on almost every dimension of discipleship. Campbells selections admirably pull together such a wide array of topics on the popes mind and the relevance of the life of Jesus to our joy, even the hidden life of Christ when there went by those seemingly endless days of quiet unobtrusive activity on his part. Pope Francis has advised us to read the Gospel, carry a little Gospel with us. Campbell has created a mosaic of the popes words on Gospel joy. This volume also gives us a portrait of the pope himself, and what amazing joy fills his life, his mind, his teachingin short, his discipleship!

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo

Archbishop of Galveston-Houston