The Poetry of John Paul II Receives Critical Acclaim
WASHINGTON (September 12, 2003) -– -"The Holy Father's intense spirituality bursts forth in the beautiful and powerful poems. . . . What will surely be regarded as a classic work of religious poetry is, at the same time, a movingly personal meditation on the truths of our Faith," writes Cardinal Edward Egan, Archbishop of New York. With these words, he captures the heartfelt reaction of many to the Pope's new book of poetry.
Others praise the beauty and depth of the Holy Father's new book, Roman Triptych, calling it "a classic work of religious poetry," "deeply meditative," and "a movingly personal meditation on the truths of our Faith."
"The whole world knows the gift that is John Paul II the pastor, theologian, and philosopher," writes Rev. Richard John Neuhaus, editor in chief of First Things. "The Poetry of John Paul II highlights another dimension of a remarkable legacy that both the Church and the world will be celebrating for many years to come."
Cardinal Francis George, O.M.I, Archbishop of Chicago, echoes similar thoughts. "In times that are so challenging for the Church, it is a gift of divine providence that we have a Pope who is not only firm and clear in teaching the faith but . . . who reflects deeply on the great questions that puzzle the human soul and who can give voice to his meditations in poetic form. . . . This book makes it possible to stand in the company of the Holy Father in that place of beauty and faith."
Lawrence Cunningham, professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame, writes of the Holy Father's ability to inspire faith through the text. "Pope John Paul II has at his command such a vocabulary as is clearly evident in these deeply meditative words which spring from the pope's gifts as a poet and as a person of profound prayer. One must approach these words with a contemplative openness to the great Silence from which they spring."
Justus George Lawler, author of Celestial Pantomime: Poetic Structures of Transcendence writes, "In this beautifully designed book written by the pontiff who renewed the fraternal bond of church and synagogue, the reader will find deeply personal verses that have the candor and concision of early Christian hymnody."
USCCB, publisher of the bestselling Catechism of the Catholic Church and owner of the New American Bible, is the exclusive publisher of The Poetry of John Paul II-Roman Triptych: Meditations in the United States. Available in a limited edition of 125,000 copies, the hardcover book with a full-color dust jacket is printed in both English (100,000 copies) and Spanish (25,000 copies). An audio-edition is also planned.
For more information on how to order The Poetry of John Paul II-Roman Triptych: Meditations directly from the USCCB, visit the Conference website, www.usccb.org/publishing. The price of the 40-page hardcover book is $19.95.