The Way to Christ: Spiritual Exercises

By Pope John Paul II

Book Overview

Revised

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060642165
• ISBN13: 9780060642167
• Release Date: August 1970
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

The Pope in person

This book presents retreat talks for university students by Karol Wojty³a while he was still a cardinal. He doesn't speak as a pope but as an ordinary person and at the same time a great spiritual master. His words are very clear and lucid, even comonsensical but at the same time his message and vision is very deep. He appeals to our deepest yearnings and spiritual intuitions. I'm not a Catholic but a Buddhist but I really recommend this book to everybody as the author's vision seems to embrace all human beings no matter what their faith is.

The pope as a teacher

Among the many accomplishments of the man known to the world as Pope John Paul II, his role as a teacher is probably the least trumpeted, but perhaps among the farthest-reaching of his talents. He has worked to shape the theological and spiritual direction, not only of Roman Catholics, but for Christians generally, and even beyond the borders of Christian thought. He was able to accomplish this was some integrity because he did not take syncretist approaches, nor did he shrink from stating very clearly what he himself believed. This book derives from times he spent as a teacher of students; taking place before he was elevated to the papacy, these essays and lecture/conversations show a depth of thinking in Christian thought. 'It is significant in an age where it would seem the whole destiny of the person and of his existence must be guided and directed from outside,' he said, as he looked for the image of God that is contained in each of us. We are created in the divine image, and that image is reflected in our very being. Every human being has this image. If we deny this image and the relationship with God which it sets up, then we risk the fragmentation of our lives into a lot of external problems. Humanity tends to ignore both its gift and its obligation in regard to being created in the divine image; the way of Christ is the way we are called to live this image into its fullness, the Pope advocated. This is a good book for those who seek spiritual renewal; it could also be used as a guide of sorts for spiritual direction and retreats, both on an individual and more communal level.

Closed this book and fell on my knees in prayer!

John Paul's words moved me, touched me, and inspired me to live closer to Christ. A man so filled with God's spirit is impossible to ignore and John Paul clearly shows us the way to spiritual intimacy and peace. An extraordinary little book!

Easy Comprehension

The book is a written record of a conversational presentation of two retreats John Paul II gave 10 years apart before he became pope. Unlike formal books, it is easy to understand and very relevant to our times and very useful. It gives a flavor of theologically where he is coming from.

Retreats for University Students

This is a wonderful book. It is unclear from the title, but the content of the book came as retreats for University students in Poland given by John Paul II when he was bishop (and cardinal) in Cracow. The talks are so down to earth and personal. I love theology also, but the simple message to everyday students really touches the heart more profoundly. A particular strong point is the two short chapters given to female, then male students. The way John Paul II upholds the dignity of women is amazing. The way he tells young men from scripture that our problems are summed up as: "male arrogance, scant willingness to give, and the spirit of conquest," shows how he hits home in a concrete way. He also addresses abortion and the man's role in abortion with no compromise. The whole book is hard hitting and direct.