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Fruitful and Responsible Love

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English, Italian (translation)

74 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

10 people want to read

About the author

Pope John Paul II

1,046 books631 followers
Saint Pope John Paul II (Latin: Ioannes Paulus II), born Karol Józef Wojtyła was elected Pope at the Conclave of 16 October 1978, and he took the name of John Paul II. On 22 October, the Lord's Day, he solemnly inaugurated his Petrine ministry as the 263rd successor to the Apostle. His pontificate, one of the longest in the history of the Church, lasted nearly 27 years.

Driven by his pastoral solicitude for all Churches and by a sense of openness and charity to the entire human race, John Paul II exercised the Petrine ministry with a tireless missionary spirit, dedicating it all his energy. He made 104 pastoral visits outside Italy and 146 within Italy. As bishop of Rome he visited 317 of the city's 333 parishes.

He had more meetings than any of his predecessors with the People of God and the leaders of Nations. More than 17,600,000 pilgrims participated in the General Audiences held on Wednesdays (more than 1160), not counting other special audiences and religious ceremonies [more than 8 million pilgrims during the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 alone], and the millions of faithful he met during pastoral visits in Italy and throughout the world. We must also remember the numerous government personalities he encountered during 38 official visits, 738 audiences and meetings held with Heads of State, and 246 audiences and meetings with Prime Ministers.

His love for young people brought him to establish the World Youth Days. The 19 WYDs celebrated during his pontificate brought together millions of young people from all over the world. At the same time his care for the family was expressed in the World Meetings of Families, which he initiated in 1994. John Paul II successfully encouraged dialogue with the Jews and with the representatives of other religions, whom he several times invited to prayer meetings for peace, especially in Assisi.

Under his guidance the Church prepared herself for the third millennium and celebrated the Great Jubilee of the year 2000 in accordance with the instructions given in the Apostolic Letter Tertio Millennio adveniente. The Church then faced the new epoch, receiving his instructions in the Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio ineunte, in which he indicated to the faithful their future path.

With the Year of the Redemption, the Marian Year and the Year of the Eucharist, he promoted the spiritual renewal of the Church. He gave an extraordinary impetus to Canonizations and Beatifications, focusing on countless examples of holiness as an incentive for the people of our time. He celebrated 147 beatification ceremonies during which he proclaimed 1,338 Blesseds; and 51 canonizations for a total of 482 saints. He made Thérèse of the Child Jesus a Doctor of the Church.

He considerably expanded the College of Cardinals, creating 231 Cardinals (plus one in pectore) in 9 consistories. He also called six full meetings of the College of Cardinals. His most important Documents include 14 Encyclicals, 15 Apostolic Exhortations, 11 Apostolic Constitutions, 45 Apostolic Letters. He promulgated the Catechism of the Catholic Church in the light of Tradition as authoritatively interpreted by the Second Vatican Council. He also reformed the Eastern and Western Codes of Canon Law, created new Institutions and reorganized the Roman Curia.

In the light of Christ risen from the dead, on 2 April 2005 at 9.37 p.m., while Saturday was drawing to a close and the Lord's Day was already beginning, the Octave of Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday, the Church's beloved Pastor, John Paul II, departed this world for the Father. On April 1, 2011, he was raised to the glory of the altars and on April 27, 2014 canonized.

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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Profile Image for Christopher Hunt.
114 reviews4 followers
May 12, 2019
This is really more of an ode to Pope St. John Paul II. It has an opening address he gave at a conference just before becoming pope. It is a rough and rapid outline of the focus of the conference followed by a group of attendees memories of the address with accolades to the newly elected pontiff.

This is not really worth the read. Get his “Love and Responsibility” instead.
Profile Image for Mandy.
384 reviews41 followers
May 13, 2023
Perhaps this deserves 5 stars and the problem is I'm approaching it backwards. Certainly it is moving and compelling. I read it because it is often quoted in other works. I guess, I just thought it might be longer or have insight that I has not yet encountered. I am currently too disappointed that there isn't more of it, to give it more stars. It is great to see TOB starting to be explained.
Profile Image for Manu.
12 reviews1 follower
July 21, 2016
The book approaches the key theme of the encyclical Humanae Vitae 'fruitful and responsible love from a very pastoral point of view. I must say the book encourages the couples to take responsibility for themselves and their actions basing on the Love for each other. Love being the guiding principle one is led to do the right thing resecting each other. 

Though never stress on contraceptive means as something the wrong, the importance given to the explanation of Love makes one understand the right way of shaping ones life. 

Its quite am easy reading book.
Profile Image for Thadeus.
199 reviews52 followers
August 23, 2010
Language difficult to follow, but important. The best commentary in my opinion was Giacomo Perico on page 67.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews

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