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The Jeweler's Shop
Pope John Paul II's three-act verse play portrays three couples at a local jeweler's one happily planning their marriage, one long-married and unhappy, and children of the two couples, about to marry but full of doubts
75 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1960
34 people are currently reading
1272 people want to read
About the author
Pope John Paul II
1,046 books630 followersSaint 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.
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 - 30 of 115 reviews
November 13, 2015
This book will be above many readers heads.
It was written and published, from what I've heard, around the time he finished his doctoral work, which I believe was "Love and Responsibility"... Basically the precursor to his immense, and incredibly intellectual "Theology of the Body", and all of it, he tried (quite successfully by my standards) to cram into a single, 3 act, minimalist play.
While the drama of the Character's stories will be clear to every reader, and the poetry of his monologues is smooth and enjoyable even in translation, the real power of the story comes precisely from its philosophical depth, and thus, its subtitle "A meditation on the Sacrament of Matrimony", it is mostly this, but reading it with a recognition of what its talking about makes every line mindblowing.
I read this at the beginning of my university education, and again shortly after finishing a course where we burnt through all of "Love and Responsiblity" and "Theology of the Body", and I swear it was like I died and got lifted up into another realm where the whole world was full of incredibly meaning. For those interested in a highly condensed theology of Marriage, this is the place for you. If you're looking for something that makes sense the first time around, you might want to consider "Love and Responsibility" a much longer work. The beauty of this play, however, remains, despite the depth of its language.
It was written and published, from what I've heard, around the time he finished his doctoral work, which I believe was "Love and Responsibility"... Basically the precursor to his immense, and incredibly intellectual "Theology of the Body", and all of it, he tried (quite successfully by my standards) to cram into a single, 3 act, minimalist play.
While the drama of the Character's stories will be clear to every reader, and the poetry of his monologues is smooth and enjoyable even in translation, the real power of the story comes precisely from its philosophical depth, and thus, its subtitle "A meditation on the Sacrament of Matrimony", it is mostly this, but reading it with a recognition of what its talking about makes every line mindblowing.
I read this at the beginning of my university education, and again shortly after finishing a course where we burnt through all of "Love and Responsiblity" and "Theology of the Body", and I swear it was like I died and got lifted up into another realm where the whole world was full of incredibly meaning. For those interested in a highly condensed theology of Marriage, this is the place for you. If you're looking for something that makes sense the first time around, you might want to consider "Love and Responsibility" a much longer work. The beauty of this play, however, remains, despite the depth of its language.
May 20, 2024
Zach and I read The Jeweler’s Shop together which I really enjoyed. It’s a very poetic book with deeper meaning behind every sentence so it was great to be able to discuss every line with someone and try to decode it together! This book is so beautifully written and well crafted. I thoroughly enjoyed it!!! I loved Act II. The Bridegroom!!!! Pope John Paul II did a great job- no one is surprised
October 13, 2024
I love Karol and his insight on humanity. King energy for sure
March 31, 2022
Beautiful and lovely
highly recommend and will be reading again someday
A few quotations I want to remember --
"Looking back over the events of recent days, I must have been in quite a state. I must have looked with bitterness. Bitterness is a taste of food and drink, it is also an inner taste--a taste of the soul when it has suffered disappointment or disillusionment. That taste permeates everything we happen to say, think or do; it permeates even our smile" (The Jeweler's Shop; Act 2 The Bridegroom)
"Sometimes human existence seems too short for love. At other times it is, however, the other way around: human love seems too short in relation to existence--or rather, too trivial. At any rate, every person has at his disposal an existence and a Love. The problem is: How to build a sensible structure from it? ... But this structure must never be inward-looking. It must be open in such a way that on the one hand it embraces other people, while on the other, it always reflects the absolute Existence and Love; it must always, in some way, reflect them" (The Jeweler's Shop; Act 3 The Children)
highly recommend and will be reading again someday
A few quotations I want to remember --
"Looking back over the events of recent days, I must have been in quite a state. I must have looked with bitterness. Bitterness is a taste of food and drink, it is also an inner taste--a taste of the soul when it has suffered disappointment or disillusionment. That taste permeates everything we happen to say, think or do; it permeates even our smile" (The Jeweler's Shop; Act 2 The Bridegroom)
"Sometimes human existence seems too short for love. At other times it is, however, the other way around: human love seems too short in relation to existence--or rather, too trivial. At any rate, every person has at his disposal an existence and a Love. The problem is: How to build a sensible structure from it? ... But this structure must never be inward-looking. It must be open in such a way that on the one hand it embraces other people, while on the other, it always reflects the absolute Existence and Love; it must always, in some way, reflect them" (The Jeweler's Shop; Act 3 The Children)
April 1, 2024
So incredibly insightful and profound! Wow. I did not fully comprehend it at times, but the parts I did understand had a intense impact on me. I will certainly come back to read this again later in life. Enough said.
January 10, 2025
I’ve really enjoyed reading this book, especially since it’s allowed me to get to know JPII better. To some extent, though, I sense that I don’t entirely get it. The language he uses is so vague and leaves a lot for the reader to figure out on her own. I also wonder how much is lost in translation from its original Polish. I look forward to rereading this at later stages of life, when I’ve hopefully lived and learned more of life and love.
A few notes:
Act I follows Teresa and Andrew. The way Andrew recounts his experience of being drawn to Teresa is so unusual—it’s just not how fiancés talk about one another. I think this is partially explained by the fact that JPII wishes to undo our superficial, immature images of romantic love. I also think it’s possible that Andrew’s bizarre telling of his and Teresa’s story is informed by JPII’s own experience of being called to the priesthood. Perchance……..
Act II follows Anna and Stefan. It ripped my heart out, cut it into a ton of little pieces, and put it back together. With that being said, Act II is my favorite <3. Adam has a little monologue moment that is THE moment of the play, in my opinion.
“Ah, Anna, how am I to prove to you that on the other side of all those loves which fill our lives—there is /Love!/ The Bridegroom is coming down this street and walks every street! How am I to prove to you that you are the bride? One would now have to pierce a layer of your soul…You would then hear him speak: beloved, you do not know how deeply you are mine, how much you belong to my love and my suffering…”
Act III follows Monica and Christopher. It’s good. No notes. I probably don’t entirely get it.
This book leaves me thinking about how romantic love is not the emotion-driven adventure we so often imagine it to be. It’s something much more serious, something which shapes eternity.
If you’ve read this book and have insights to share, please lmk!
A few notes:
Act I follows Teresa and Andrew. The way Andrew recounts his experience of being drawn to Teresa is so unusual—it’s just not how fiancés talk about one another. I think this is partially explained by the fact that JPII wishes to undo our superficial, immature images of romantic love. I also think it’s possible that Andrew’s bizarre telling of his and Teresa’s story is informed by JPII’s own experience of being called to the priesthood. Perchance……..
Act II follows Anna and Stefan. It ripped my heart out, cut it into a ton of little pieces, and put it back together. With that being said, Act II is my favorite <3. Adam has a little monologue moment that is THE moment of the play, in my opinion.
“Ah, Anna, how am I to prove to you that on the other side of all those loves which fill our lives—there is /Love!/ The Bridegroom is coming down this street and walks every street! How am I to prove to you that you are the bride? One would now have to pierce a layer of your soul…You would then hear him speak: beloved, you do not know how deeply you are mine, how much you belong to my love and my suffering…”
Act III follows Monica and Christopher. It’s good. No notes. I probably don’t entirely get it.
This book leaves me thinking about how romantic love is not the emotion-driven adventure we so often imagine it to be. It’s something much more serious, something which shapes eternity.
If you’ve read this book and have insights to share, please lmk!
April 9, 2025
It was great, probs need to read it again. Lots to chew.
November 18, 2025
An answered prayer during my season of engagement. My eyes are teary and my heart has so much to take to prayer. Will likely reread this yearly from now on.
March 10, 2024
Perfection. A beautiful meditation on love, marriage, and the wounds we carry with us.
As always, here are some of my fav quotes:
“Here we both are, we grow out of so many strange moments, as if from the depths of facts, ordinary and simple as though they are. Here we are together. We are secretly growing into one because of these two rings.”
“Sometimes human existence seems too short for love. At other times it is, however, the other way around: human love seems too short in relation to existence—or rather, too trivial. At any rate, every person has at his disposal an existence and a Love.”
“Well, he is constantly waiting. He continually lives in expectation… Ah, Anna, how am I to prove to you that on the other side of all those loves which fill our lives—there is Love! The Bridegroom is coming down this street and walks every street! How am I to prove to you that you are the bride? One would now have to pierce a layer of your soul… You would then hear him speak: beloved, you do not know how deeply you are mine, how much you belong to my love and my suffering—because to love means to give life through death; to love means to let gush a spring of the water of life into the depths of the soul, which burns or smolders, and cannot burn out.”
As always, here are some of my fav quotes:
“Here we both are, we grow out of so many strange moments, as if from the depths of facts, ordinary and simple as though they are. Here we are together. We are secretly growing into one because of these two rings.”
“Sometimes human existence seems too short for love. At other times it is, however, the other way around: human love seems too short in relation to existence—or rather, too trivial. At any rate, every person has at his disposal an existence and a Love.”
“Well, he is constantly waiting. He continually lives in expectation… Ah, Anna, how am I to prove to you that on the other side of all those loves which fill our lives—there is Love! The Bridegroom is coming down this street and walks every street! How am I to prove to you that you are the bride? One would now have to pierce a layer of your soul… You would then hear him speak: beloved, you do not know how deeply you are mine, how much you belong to my love and my suffering—because to love means to give life through death; to love means to let gush a spring of the water of life into the depths of the soul, which burns or smolders, and cannot burn out.”
November 26, 2018
I really liked it! It was poetic, it had elements of romance but not in a fairy tale happy ending way. It had real life things that happen to marriages. Oh, and it was about marriage, written by JPII when he was still a bishop (not a bishop of Rome yet). So what more could one ask for.
Also, it was super short so not this deep huge theological text to drudge through (ahem other JPII writings).
Also, it was super short so not this deep huge theological text to drudge through (ahem other JPII writings).
September 22, 2011
I think this was above my head.
September 10, 2019
Wow.
This was not at all what I expected. It really is, as the subtitle says, a meditation. There's more here than can be absorbed in one reading.
This was not at all what I expected. It really is, as the subtitle says, a meditation. There's more here than can be absorbed in one reading.
July 9, 2023
Beautiful thoughts about marriage framed through a play exploring three couples at different stages of engagement and marriage; the final couple's meditations on how we bring our life's experiences into marriage was especially powerful. I read this on my 5th anniversary (the pdf is free to access on Internet Archive!) and it might just have to be an annual reread!
Some of my favourite quotes:
“Here we both are, we grow out of so many strange moments, as if from the depths of facts, ordinary and simple though they are. Here we are together. We are secretly growing into one because of these two rings.”
“The future for us remains an unknown quantity, which we now accept without anxiety. Love has overcome anxiety. The future depends on love.”
“The thing is not to go away, and wander . . . The thing is to return and in the old place to find oneself.”
“Love is . . . A synthesis of two people’s existence which converges, as it were, at a certain point. And makes them into one.”
“When are we going to being to live our own lives at last! And when at last shall I believe that you are not like Father! When will you be only Christopher — free from those associations! I want so much to be yours and there is only one thing constantly in my way — that I am myself.”
Some of my favourite quotes:
“Here we both are, we grow out of so many strange moments, as if from the depths of facts, ordinary and simple though they are. Here we are together. We are secretly growing into one because of these two rings.”
“The future for us remains an unknown quantity, which we now accept without anxiety. Love has overcome anxiety. The future depends on love.”
“The thing is not to go away, and wander . . . The thing is to return and in the old place to find oneself.”
“Love is . . . A synthesis of two people’s existence which converges, as it were, at a certain point. And makes them into one.”
“When are we going to being to live our own lives at last! And when at last shall I believe that you are not like Father! When will you be only Christopher — free from those associations! I want so much to be yours and there is only one thing constantly in my way — that I am myself.”
August 31, 2025
“This made me think that beauty accessible to the senses can be a difficult gift or a dangerous one;
I met people led by it to hurt others
—and so, gradually, I learned to value beauty accessible to the mind, that is to say, truth.
I decided then to seek a woman who would be indeed my real "alter ego" so that the bridge between us would not be a shaky footbridge among water lilies and
reeds.” - Act I, p. 25
“Love is not an adventure. It has the taste of the whole man. It has weight. And the weight of his whole fate. It cannot be a single moment. Man’s eternity passes through it. That is why it is to be found in the dimensions of God, because only He is eternity.” - II.3, p. 60
I think these quotes speak better than anything I could write. What a great play.
I met people led by it to hurt others
—and so, gradually, I learned to value beauty accessible to the mind, that is to say, truth.
I decided then to seek a woman who would be indeed my real "alter ego" so that the bridge between us would not be a shaky footbridge among water lilies and
reeds.” - Act I, p. 25
“Love is not an adventure. It has the taste of the whole man. It has weight. And the weight of his whole fate. It cannot be a single moment. Man’s eternity passes through it. That is why it is to be found in the dimensions of God, because only He is eternity.” - II.3, p. 60
I think these quotes speak better than anything I could write. What a great play.
Read
October 25, 2025So… this is barely a play. This is more a meditation on marriage and on parenthood than anything. And it is beautiful, but I think I need to sit with it for a while before I can actually say anything about it.
The one thing that brought me to this book and what struck me the most while reading it is the thought of the face of God being that of those you hate. I’m gonna need some time with that one.
The one thing that brought me to this book and what struck me the most while reading it is the thought of the face of God being that of those you hate. I’m gonna need some time with that one.
Read
September 19, 2025Oh, Love!
Will be rereading again and again - and making my future spouse book club it w me.
Will be rereading again and again - and making my future spouse book club it w me.
September 29, 2025
Great book! Thought-provoking - I might need to give it a another read now that I know what it's all about
December 17, 2024
Forgot I read this book with my team last year & man did it makes feel lots of things :,)
October 21, 2025
The human heart in action, showing how love plays out in the lives of different people, and how they relate to each other in that love.
The Jeweler is no ordinary Jeweler. He is a man who is a Jeweler by vocation. He doesn’t just sell rings but leads people into contemplation of the union they are about to enter.
Good book.
The Jeweler is no ordinary Jeweler. He is a man who is a Jeweler by vocation. He doesn’t just sell rings but leads people into contemplation of the union they are about to enter.
Good book.
October 16, 2025
Vissa väldigt fina sekvenser. Lite för ”praktiskt” för min smak i övrigt
January 19, 2015
In this three-part play Saint John Paul the Great explores marriage through the discourse of three couples. In the first part we meet Teresa and Andrew who are just beginning their relationship and marriage. In the second part we meet Anna and Stephan who are falling away from each other, and in the third part we meet Monica and Christopher, the children of the previous two couples, who are also just starting out.
Others have mentioned that this is a good literary companion to JPII’s Theology of the Body. As someone who has not read that work, I cannot say if that is true. However, this play is filled with meditations on marriage that leave one mulling over the ideas of Pope John Paul II.
One of many favorite quotes: “His [the jeweler’s, AKA God’s] eyes were flashing signals which we were not able to receive fully just then […] and yet, they reached to our inner hearts. And somehow we went in their direction, and they covered the fabric of our lives.”
—
Teacher’s Note: probably too metaphorical for fifth graders and most middle schoolers; great for high schoolers, college aged kids, and adult book clubs (which is why I read it!)
See more of my reviews: www.klc-books.tumblr.com
Others have mentioned that this is a good literary companion to JPII’s Theology of the Body. As someone who has not read that work, I cannot say if that is true. However, this play is filled with meditations on marriage that leave one mulling over the ideas of Pope John Paul II.
One of many favorite quotes: “His [the jeweler’s, AKA God’s] eyes were flashing signals which we were not able to receive fully just then […] and yet, they reached to our inner hearts. And somehow we went in their direction, and they covered the fabric of our lives.”
—
Teacher’s Note: probably too metaphorical for fifth graders and most middle schoolers; great for high schoolers, college aged kids, and adult book clubs (which is why I read it!)
See more of my reviews: www.klc-books.tumblr.com
December 17, 2023
Just when you think JP2 couldn’t get any more impressive… this play has profound insights on marital love. Anna and Stefan’s act was my favorite since it seems to be the most common tale of marriages today - where the spouses “fall out of love” and fail to live out their vows (which were easy to make on their wedding day). On Anna’s quest for the answer/the Bridegroom, she finds the face of her husband, which sent chills down my spine. It reminds me that Jesus is found in those that we love, and that we love Jesus most by loving those in our lives well: “In the Bridegroom’s face each of us finds a similarity to the faces of those with whom love has entangled us on this side of life, of existence. They are all in him”
September 25, 2021
“In the Bridegroom’s face each of us finds a similarity to the faces of those with whom love has entangled us on this side of life, of existence. They are all in him.”
December 22, 2022
Profound expressions of the complexities and depths of love, especially when intermingled with anxieties and bitterness. Often too esoteric for my hyper-practical mind to grasp, but that is a fault of my own, not Wojtyla’s.
Lots of excerpts from the various acts of this brief play are worth dwelling on; here are only a few:
“This made me think that beauty accessible to the senses can be a difficult gift or a dangerous one; I met people led by it to hurt others, and so, gradually, I learned to value beauty accessible to the minds, that is to say, truth. I decided, then, to seek a woman who would be indeed, my real altar ego so that the bridge between us would not be a shaky, footbridge among waterlilies and reeds.”
“Or love can be a collision in which two selves realize profoundly they ought to belong to each other, even though they have no convenient moods and sensations.”
“I want so much to be yours, and there is only one thing constantly in my way — that I am myself.”
“Sometimes human existence seems too short for love. At other times it is, however, the other way around: human love seems too short in relation to existence — or rather, too trivial.”
“To create something, to reflect the absolute Existence and Love, must be the most wonderful of all!
But one lives in ignorance of it.”
Lots of excerpts from the various acts of this brief play are worth dwelling on; here are only a few:
“This made me think that beauty accessible to the senses can be a difficult gift or a dangerous one; I met people led by it to hurt others, and so, gradually, I learned to value beauty accessible to the minds, that is to say, truth. I decided, then, to seek a woman who would be indeed, my real altar ego so that the bridge between us would not be a shaky, footbridge among waterlilies and reeds.”
“Or love can be a collision in which two selves realize profoundly they ought to belong to each other, even though they have no convenient moods and sensations.”
“I want so much to be yours, and there is only one thing constantly in my way — that I am myself.”
“Sometimes human existence seems too short for love. At other times it is, however, the other way around: human love seems too short in relation to existence — or rather, too trivial.”
“To create something, to reflect the absolute Existence and Love, must be the most wonderful of all!
But one lives in ignorance of it.”
October 4, 2025
A very moving, melancholic play that is filled with hope.
In one of his earlier works, Karol Wojtyla - over a decade later to become Pope John Paul II - captures the fragility and true sacrifice and selflessness as being the essence of human relationships. Using an "Old Jeweller's Shop" as a symbolic setting throughout the play, and drawing on metaphors from scripture, it explores the weight of marriage and the longing in all people for genuine love.
Through the comparison of 3 different couples over the course of time, Wojtyla defines human love as not just a "truth" arising from "what one feels most strongly", but rather a "synthesis of two people's existence which converges... at a certain point and makes them into one". Rather than a sweet feeling, it is an entire existence of the beloved within the lover: a completion of one with the other. This is highlighted in the Jeweller Shop window which shows in it the reflection of couples standing together outside to look at the rings inside. The mirror symbolises their union, a reflection of the fate of the couples, and the sacrifice this entails for their lives together.
"How am I to prove to you that on the other side of all those loves which fill our lives - there is LOVE? ... How am I to prove that you are the bride?"
In one of his earlier works, Karol Wojtyla - over a decade later to become Pope John Paul II - captures the fragility and true sacrifice and selflessness as being the essence of human relationships. Using an "Old Jeweller's Shop" as a symbolic setting throughout the play, and drawing on metaphors from scripture, it explores the weight of marriage and the longing in all people for genuine love.
Through the comparison of 3 different couples over the course of time, Wojtyla defines human love as not just a "truth" arising from "what one feels most strongly", but rather a "synthesis of two people's existence which converges... at a certain point and makes them into one". Rather than a sweet feeling, it is an entire existence of the beloved within the lover: a completion of one with the other. This is highlighted in the Jeweller Shop window which shows in it the reflection of couples standing together outside to look at the rings inside. The mirror symbolises their union, a reflection of the fate of the couples, and the sacrifice this entails for their lives together.
"How am I to prove to you that on the other side of all those loves which fill our lives - there is LOVE? ... How am I to prove that you are the bride?"
March 31, 2021
I was honestly expecting to be so much more impressed by this play by one of my favorite saints! While drastically different writing, Love and Responsibility was one of the most genius reflections on romantic/marital love I've ever read. The Jeweler's Shop, however -- while another meditation on marriage and perhaps the fictional counterpart of L&R -- pales in comparison, and doesn't hold up very well as its own work.
Aside from the fact that I'm generally not the biggest fan of plays, The Jeweler's Shop is a type of poetic play -- almost its own genre. This made it doubly unsuccessful for me, as I am very picky about poetry and often find myself confused by the myriad potential meanings of just a line or two. Undoubtedly, there are some crystal-clear passages in this book that are beautiful, and that cannot be misinterpreted. That said, the whole play was a bit too theoretical and abstract for me. I also failed to connect with the main characters, who take shifts in the spotlight throughout (each "chapter" is written about a different couple).
Recommend L&R. Skip this one!
Aside from the fact that I'm generally not the biggest fan of plays, The Jeweler's Shop is a type of poetic play -- almost its own genre. This made it doubly unsuccessful for me, as I am very picky about poetry and often find myself confused by the myriad potential meanings of just a line or two. Undoubtedly, there are some crystal-clear passages in this book that are beautiful, and that cannot be misinterpreted. That said, the whole play was a bit too theoretical and abstract for me. I also failed to connect with the main characters, who take shifts in the spotlight throughout (each "chapter" is written about a different couple).
Recommend L&R. Skip this one!
July 23, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this amazing work given us from the genius and heart of Karol Wojtyla (future Pope St. JPII). I’m greatly struck by his underscoring of the convergence between the momentary and the eternal, the human and the perfect ideal, in love: “In the Bridegroom’s face each of us finds a similarity to the faces of those with whom love has entangled us on this side of life, of existence. They are all in him.” This thought is similar to something CS Lewis says in The Four Loves.
It was very interesting to see how pieces of ideas (and even lines) from the play appear in the film rendition in a less intentional and less connected manner. The play makes it more profound and cohesive (although certainly not linear). I do highly appreciate and recommend the film rendition, but the play itself is a must-read to truly encounter the depth, breadth, and beauty of the philosophical and metaphysical themes that The Jeweler’s Shop contains.
It was very interesting to see how pieces of ideas (and even lines) from the play appear in the film rendition in a less intentional and less connected manner. The play makes it more profound and cohesive (although certainly not linear). I do highly appreciate and recommend the film rendition, but the play itself is a must-read to truly encounter the depth, breadth, and beauty of the philosophical and metaphysical themes that The Jeweler’s Shop contains.
February 3, 2024
This is my first writing by St. Pope John Paul II that I’ve finished.
His writing in this very, very short play is lyrical, sweet, and romantic. Sprinkled throughout the interconnected monologues are musings on romantic love, and the love between us humans and God. This makes for some “mic-drop” moments that catch you off-guard with this saint’s wisdom. I found myself relating to all of the characters on some level, and the mysterious Jeweler, Bridegroom, and the man “Adam”, are a subtle hint towards the love of Trinity.
I would love to see this play performed one day. I found myself wondering what the characters and scenery would look like onstage. JPII’s lack of stage directions in the script can either frustrate or delight, and for me, it was the latter. It was fascinating to ponder whether these characters would be in the same room, or in the same house in different rooms, or even out in the street outside the titular Jeweler’s Shop.
Despite the rather lyrical style, this was a pretty easy and fast read for me, and I quickly read it in 45 minutes.
His writing in this very, very short play is lyrical, sweet, and romantic. Sprinkled throughout the interconnected monologues are musings on romantic love, and the love between us humans and God. This makes for some “mic-drop” moments that catch you off-guard with this saint’s wisdom. I found myself relating to all of the characters on some level, and the mysterious Jeweler, Bridegroom, and the man “Adam”, are a subtle hint towards the love of Trinity.
I would love to see this play performed one day. I found myself wondering what the characters and scenery would look like onstage. JPII’s lack of stage directions in the script can either frustrate or delight, and for me, it was the latter. It was fascinating to ponder whether these characters would be in the same room, or in the same house in different rooms, or even out in the street outside the titular Jeweler’s Shop.
Despite the rather lyrical style, this was a pretty easy and fast read for me, and I quickly read it in 45 minutes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2025
“When I then ran, so full of hidden hope, towards the Bridegroom so suddenly promised”
May 23, 2019
Powerful. Thought-provoking. Only about the length of a short movie to read!
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