The priesthood, mystery of faith : priestly ministry in the Magisterium of John Paul II

After almost twenty-seven years of his pontificate, what was John Paul II's legacy regarding the ministerial priesthood? What answers did he give to the questions still surrounding this reality today? Nilson Leal de Sá, CB, examines the pontiff's twenty-seven letters of Holy Thursday addressed annually to the priests. Unlike some papal documents, which are drafted by many hands, these letters to priests were born of a personal initiative, wherein the pope spoke ab imo pectore (from the depths of his heart), giving a little of himself and his thought. Cardinal Georges-Marie Cottier, theologian emeritus of the Pontifical House and a connoisseur of the texts of the Holy Father, has confirmed that "the Letters of Holy Thursday were written by John Paul II himself." Leal de Sá has sought in the diversity of the letters of Holy Thursday the major points of the thought of John Paul II on this important topic. The first chapter dwells on the sources of his teaching and emphasizes his use of the Word of God, Tradition, and the conciliar Magisterium. These foundations are the basis of the second chapter, which highlights the priestly identity in the life of the Church. Finally, the third chapter elucidates the specific mission of the priest. The Priesthood, Mystery of Faith presents itself as a real and stimulating synthesis of John Paul II's thought about the ministerial priesthood in a systematic way. It renews us in the appreciation of the inestimable gift that God makes to the whole Church through the sacrament of the Holy Orders. After almost twenty-seven years of his pontificate, what was JohnPaul II's legacy regarding the ministerial priesthood? What answersdid he give to the questions still surrounding this reality today?Nilson Leal de Sá, CB, examines the pontiff's twenty-seven lettersof Holy Thursday addressed annually to the priests. Unlike somepapal documents, which are drafted by many hands, these letters topriests were born of a personal initiative, wherein the pope spokeab imo pectore (from the depths of his heart), giving alittle of himself and his thought. Cardinal Georges-Marie Cottier,theologian emeritus of the Pontifical House and a connoisseur ofthe texts of the Holy Father, has confirmed that "the Letters ofHoly Thursday were written by John Paul II himself." Leal de Sá hassought in the diversity of the letters of Holy Thursday the majorpoints of the thought of John Paul II on this important topic. Thefirst chapter dwells on the sources of his teaching and emphasizeshis use of the Word of God, Tradition, and the conciliarMagisterium. These foundations are the basis of the second chapter,which highlights the priestly identity in the life of the Church.Finally, the third chapter elucidates the specific mission of thepriest. The Priesthood, Mystery of Faith presents itselfas a real and stimulating synthesis of John Paul II's thought aboutthe ministerial priesthood in a systematic way. It renews us in theappreciation of the inestimable gift that God makes to the wholeChurch through the sacrament of the Holy Orders "The Priesthood, Mystery of Faith presents a synthesis of John Paul II's thought about the ministerial priesthood in a systematic way. Nilson Leal de Sá, CB, examines the pontiff's twenty-seven letters of Holy Thursday addressed annually to priests. Unlike some papal documents, which are drafted by many hands, these letters to priests were born of a personal initiative, wherein the pope spoke ab imo pectore (from the depths of his heart), giving a little of himself and his thought. Leal de Sá has sought in the letters of Holy Thursday the major points of the thought of John Paul II on this important topic. The first chapter dwells on the sources of his teaching and emphasizes his use of the Word of God, Tradition, and the conciliar Magisterium. These foundations are the basis of the second chapter, which highlights the priestly identity in the life of the Church. Finally, the third chapter elucidates the specific mission of the priest. The book concludes with an afterword reflecting on the sexual abuse crisis and John Paul II's legacy"-- Provided by publisher Contents Foreword by Cardinal José Saraiva Martins Abbreviations Introduction Chapter 1: The Sources of John Paul II The Word of God: John Paul II Interprets the Letter to the Hebrews The Tradition The Conciliar Magisterium Chapter 2: The Identity of the Priest Ex hominibus et pro omnibus—From Men and to All Vobis sum episcopus, vobiscum sacerdos—For You I Am a Bishop, with You I Am a Priest Potestas sacra (Sacred Power) for Service Synthesis Chapter 3: The Priest, “Memory” of Christ Celibacy for a Greater Gift In persona Christi, Pastor bonus—In the Person of Christ, the Good Shepherd Trinitarian Orientation and Marian Dimension of the Ministerial Priesthood Synthesis Conclusion Afterword to the English Edition Bibliography Appendix: Selected Homilies and Address of John Paul II Scriptural Index Index After almost twenty-seven years of his pontificate, what was John Paul II's legacy regarding the ministerial priesthood? What answers did he give to the questions still surrounding this reality today? Nilson Leal de Sa CB, examines the pontiff's twenty-seven letters of Holy Thursday addressed annually to the priests.