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Let God's Light Shine Forth: The Spiritual Vision of Pope Benedict XVI
Though he was a familiar Church leader for many years before becoming pope, there has been little awareness of the spiritual side of Benedict XVI. Now for the first time readers are given a brilliant overview of the Pope’s most inspirational teachings in Let God’s Light Shine Forth . Editor Robert Moynihan offers a brief introduction to the life and work of Pope Benedict XVI and then presents an absorbing collection of his most persuasive words.
Within these pages, Pope Benedict XVI introduces a God who is good, beautiful, and true, the fountain of all life. The most important thing for each person, in Benedict’s view, is to discover and develop a loving relationship with God, because this is the way to the deepest and most lasting happiness that human beings can experience. Even in our darkest moments, he teaches, we can have hope that all things will ultimately work out in a wonderful way to show God’s glory and bring blessedness to individual men and women.
Many of these selections deal specifically with questions such Who is God? How we can know him? What does he wants us to do and to be? Having spent his entire life thinking, studying, and praying about such questions, Benedict has become perhaps the leading contemporary theologian (the word literally means “knower of God”) in the Roman Catholic Church. From his earliest work as a teacher to his first words as leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict’s vision of hope is powerfully summarized in Let God’s Light Shine Forth .
Within these pages, Pope Benedict XVI introduces a God who is good, beautiful, and true, the fountain of all life. The most important thing for each person, in Benedict’s view, is to discover and develop a loving relationship with God, because this is the way to the deepest and most lasting happiness that human beings can experience. Even in our darkest moments, he teaches, we can have hope that all things will ultimately work out in a wonderful way to show God’s glory and bring blessedness to individual men and women.
Many of these selections deal specifically with questions such Who is God? How we can know him? What does he wants us to do and to be? Having spent his entire life thinking, studying, and praying about such questions, Benedict has become perhaps the leading contemporary theologian (the word literally means “knower of God”) in the Roman Catholic Church. From his earliest work as a teacher to his first words as leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict’s vision of hope is powerfully summarized in Let God’s Light Shine Forth .
215 pages, Hardcover
First published June 7, 2005
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About the author
Pope Benedict XVI
943 books935 followersOriginally
Joseph Ratzinger
, a noted conservative theologian before his election in 2005, Benedict XVI strove against the influence of secularism during his papacy to defend traditional Catholic teachings but since medieval times first resigned in 2013.
After Joseph Ratzinger served a long career as an academic and a professor at the University of Regensburg, Pope Paul VI appointed him as archbishop of Munich and Freising and cardinal in 1977. In 1981, he settled in Rome as prefect of the congregation for the doctrine of the faith, one most important office of the Roman curia. He also served as dean of the college of cardinals.
Benedict XVI reigned 265th in virtue of his office of bishop of Rome, the sovereign of the state of Vatican City and the head of the Church. A conclave named him on 19 April 2005; he celebrated his inaugural Mass on 24 April 2005 and took possession of his Lateran cathedral basilica of Saint John on 7 May 2005.
Benedict XVI succeeded Saint John Paul II, predecessor and his prolific writings on doctrine and values. Benedict XVI advocated a return to fundamental Christian values to counter the increase of many developed countries. Relativism denied objective truth and moral truths in particular; he viewed this central problem of the 21st century. With the importance of the Church, he understood redemptive love of God. He reaffirmed the "importance of prayer in the face of the activism" "of many Christians engaged in charitable work." Benedict also revived a number and elevated the Tridentine Mass to a more prominent position.
Benedict founded and patronized of the Ratzinger foundation, a charitable organization, which from the sale of books and essays makes money to fund scholarships and bursaries for students across the world.
Due to advanced age on 11 February 2013, Benedict announced in a speech in Latin and cited a "lack of strength of mind and body" before the cardinals. He effectively left on 28 February 2013.As emeritus, Benedict retained the style of His Holiness, and the title and continued to dress in the color of white. He moved into the newly renovated monastery of Mater Ecclesiae for his retirement. Pope Francis succeeded him on 13 March 2013.
(more info on Ratzinger Foundation: https://www.ewtn.com/library/Theology...)
After Joseph Ratzinger served a long career as an academic and a professor at the University of Regensburg, Pope Paul VI appointed him as archbishop of Munich and Freising and cardinal in 1977. In 1981, he settled in Rome as prefect of the congregation for the doctrine of the faith, one most important office of the Roman curia. He also served as dean of the college of cardinals.
Benedict XVI reigned 265th in virtue of his office of bishop of Rome, the sovereign of the state of Vatican City and the head of the Church. A conclave named him on 19 April 2005; he celebrated his inaugural Mass on 24 April 2005 and took possession of his Lateran cathedral basilica of Saint John on 7 May 2005.
Benedict XVI succeeded Saint John Paul II, predecessor and his prolific writings on doctrine and values. Benedict XVI advocated a return to fundamental Christian values to counter the increase of many developed countries. Relativism denied objective truth and moral truths in particular; he viewed this central problem of the 21st century. With the importance of the Church, he understood redemptive love of God. He reaffirmed the "importance of prayer in the face of the activism" "of many Christians engaged in charitable work." Benedict also revived a number and elevated the Tridentine Mass to a more prominent position.
Benedict founded and patronized of the Ratzinger foundation, a charitable organization, which from the sale of books and essays makes money to fund scholarships and bursaries for students across the world.
Due to advanced age on 11 February 2013, Benedict announced in a speech in Latin and cited a "lack of strength of mind and body" before the cardinals. He effectively left on 28 February 2013.As emeritus, Benedict retained the style of His Holiness, and the title and continued to dress in the color of white. He moved into the newly renovated monastery of Mater Ecclesiae for his retirement. Pope Francis succeeded him on 13 March 2013.
(more info on Ratzinger Foundation: https://www.ewtn.com/library/Theology...)
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 19, 2013
This was a very interesting look into Pope Benedict's theological formation. It was a perfect blend of his biographical history and theological beliefs. He truly believed in what he was doing in the Catholic Church. I was fairly ambivalent about Benedict's papacy, but after reading this I see what a huge role he played in everything from Vatican II to modern theology. Not that I ever disrespected him or thought poorly of him, but this book made me realize what a blessing he was to the Catholic faith during his lifetime. It made me look at his papacy in a totally new light.
I'm not certain anyone outside of the Catholic faith would see the beauty in this book, but if you are interested in learning about Catholic theology it may be a helpful read. It is a beautifully written book about a fascinating man who helped shape faith.
I'm not certain anyone outside of the Catholic faith would see the beauty in this book, but if you are interested in learning about Catholic theology it may be a helpful read. It is a beautifully written book about a fascinating man who helped shape faith.
August 3, 2020
What a shiny light
I always feel like I've learned something important about religion when I read interviews with Pope Benedict. There was a prayer in the book that really made me think about life. Overall I give the book 5 out of 5 stars.I would recommend it to everyone.
I always feel like I've learned something important about religion when I read interviews with Pope Benedict. There was a prayer in the book that really made me think about life. Overall I give the book 5 out of 5 stars.I would recommend it to everyone.
March 23, 2015
3. 5 stars
Having not had the opportunity to read much of Pope Emeritus Father Benedict's works during his papacy, it was wonderful to read this and get an overview of his life and work as he came to papal throne back in 2005.
Just a few random quotes I liked...
EWTN Interview with Raymond Arroyo, Sept. 5, 2003
God and the World: A Conversation with Peter Seewald
Recommended as an introduction to HH Pope Benedict XVI. Now off to start his Jesus of Nazareth books!
Having not had the opportunity to read much of Pope Emeritus Father Benedict's works during his papacy, it was wonderful to read this and get an overview of his life and work as he came to papal throne back in 2005.
Just a few random quotes I liked...
Two things are very clear in the Holy Scripture. In the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans, he clearly says, "The fidelity of God is absolutely clear. He is faithful to His promises." And so, the people of Abraham are always God's people, on the one hand. And he says also clearly, "All Israel will be saved." But, it is also clear that Jesus is the Savior, not only of the other peoples, he is a Jew and he is the Savior, especially of his own people. St. Bernard of Clairvaux said, "God saved, reserved for himself, the salvation of Israel. He will do it in His Own Person." And so, we have to leave it to God's self, to see, convinced and knowing, that Christ is Savior of all of His Own people, and of all people. But how He will do it is in God's Hand.
EWTN Interview with Raymond Arroyo, Sept. 5, 2003
Pain is part of being human. Anyone who really wanted to get rid of suffering would have to get rid of love before anything else, because there can be no love without suffering, because it always demands an element of self-sacrifice, because, given temperamental differences and the drama of situations, it will always bring with it renunciation and pain... Anyone who has inwardly accepted suffering becomes more mature and more understanding of others, becomes more human.
God and the World: A Conversation with Peter Seewald
The mercy of Christ is not a cheap grace; it does not presume evil is trivial. Christ carries on his body and on his soul all the weight of evil, and all its destructive force.
Recommended as an introduction to HH Pope Benedict XVI. Now off to start his Jesus of Nazareth books!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews