From Publishers Weekly
Pope John Paul II leads over one billion Catholics worldwide, but he thinks of himself as a loving father figure. In this meditative book, he invokes the titular phrase (words that Jesus Christ used in the Garden of Gethsemane to call his disciples to him) to urge readers to "go forth full of trust in Christ." The Pope describes how he himself has done so and starts this book where Gift and Mystery (1996) left offwith his ordination as a bishop in Poland in 1958. The first chapters are the most strictly autobiographical, but he quickly turns to matters of faith, discussing everything from the spiritual meaning of a bishops miter and crosier to the need for clergy to talk with scientists and other intellectuals. Naturally, since he has served as a bishop (of Krakow, of Rome) for almost 50 years, the Pope devotes a lot of space to a bishops duties. His discussion of these duties provides openings for him to remember important occasions in his past, such as his pastoral visit to the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico. Later chapters deal with the Second Vatican Council, which he participated in as a young bishop. The prose style is that of a many-faceted sermon, with Biblical quotations woven throughout and themes such as the importance of telling the truth, staying celibate and giving to charity heavily reinforced. Although the book occasionally feels like a guide to the Episcopal ministry, its sure to gratify those hungry for his instruction and inspiring faith, as well as non-Catholics interested in his philosophy.Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Book Description
Following the success of the international bestseller Crossing the Threshold of Hope, Pope John Paul II provides the world with a glimpse into his past in RISE, LET US BE ON OUR WAY. Chronicling the years he spent as a bishop and later archbishop in Krakow, Poland through his election as the first Polish Pope in 1978, he recounts everything from communist efforts to suppress the church in Poland to his efforts to adopt a new and more open style of pastoral ministry. With recollections on his life as well as his thoughts on the issues facing the world now, Pope John Paul II offers words of wisdom in this book that will appeal to people of any faith looking to strengthen their spirituality.
Rise, Let Us Be On Our Way FROM THE PUBLISHER
Following the success of the international bestseller Crossing the Threshold of Hope, Pope John Paul II provides the world with a glimpse into his past in Rise, Let Us Be On Our Way. Chronicling the years he spent as a bishop and later archbishop in Krakow, Poland through his election as the first Polish Pope in 1978, he recounts everything from communist efforts to suppress the church in Poland to his efforts to adopt a new and more open style of pastoral ministry. With recollections on his life as well as his thoughts on the issues facing the world now, Pope John Paul II offers words of wisdom in this book that will appeal to people of any faith looking to strengthen their spirituality.
FROM THE CRITICS
Library Journal
Here, Pope John Paul II recounts his ordination as bishop in 1958 and service in the episcopacy until being elected pope in 1978. This book could be called a sequel to his reflections on his early years in the priesthood, Gift and Mystery. The new text has a formal, catechism-like quality, with frequent scripture references, pietisms, and explications. However, John Paul's delineation of episcopal responsibilities offers some insight into his particular style as a charismatic leader of the Church. We also see a personal side of John Paul in his descriptions of countering efforts by the Communist regime in Poland to suppress the Church. In his poetic meditation on the Polish St. Stanislaus, John Paul says, "I want to describe my Church in which, for centuries,/ the word and the blood go side by side,/ united by the hidden breath/ of the Spirit." The paradox of simplicity of "faith responsibility and courage" in conjunction with sophisticated leadership is illumined. This book will interest Catholics and Christians committed to fuller ecumenical understanding.-Sheila Peiffer, Acad. of the Holy Names, Albany, NY Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.