Walking with Jesus: A Way Forward for the Church

by Pope Francis

Overview

In Walking with Jesus: A Way Forward for the Church, Pope Francis urges us to make Jesus central in our individual lives and in the collective life of the Church—to walk toward him, and ultimately to walk with him at all times and in all places.

With a foreword by Archbishop of Chicago Blase J. Cupich, Pope Francis’s first major appointment in the United States, Walking with Jesus offers the Church a much-needed way forward, past its inner and outer walls, as it fearlessly follows Christ toward the future. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780829442496
Publisher:	Loyola Press
Publication date:	02/25/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	160
Sales rank:	933,239
File size:	1 MB
Age Range:	3 Months to 18 Years

About the Author

Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. As a young man, he worked briefly as a chemical technician and nightclub bouncer before entering the Jesuits. He was ordained a priest in 1969, and from 1973 to 1979, was Argentina’s Provincial Superior of the Society of Jesus. He became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998, and was appointed a Cardinal in 2001.

Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on 28 February 2013, Bergoglio was named his successor on 13 March. He chose the name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. He is the first Jesuit Pope, the first Pope from the Americas, the first Pope from the Southern Hemisphere, and the first non-European Pope in over 1200 years.

Pope Francis has been noted for his humility, his concern for the poor, and his commitment to dialogue as a way to build bridges between people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and faiths.

POPE FRANCIS was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. As a young man, he worked briefly as a chemical technician and nightclub bouncer before entering the Jesuits. He was ordained a priest in 1969, and from 1973 to 1979, was Argentina's Provincial Superior of the Society of Jesus. He became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998, and was appointed a Cardinal in 2001. Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on 28 February 2013, Bergoglio was named his successor on 13 March. He chose the name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. He is the first Jesuit Pope, the first Pope from the Americas, the first Pope from the Southern Hemisphere, and the first non-European Pope in over 1200 years. Pope Francis has been noted for his humility, his concern for the poor, and his commitment to dialogue as a way to build bridges between people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and faiths.

Table of Contents

Foreword ix

Preface xiii

Part 1 The Gospel of the Walk 1

1 A Journey Unfolding in Time 3

2 The Eternal Newness of the Gospel 8

3 Three Movements of the Christian Life 10

4 Walking with Jesus 12

5 The Joy of Encounter 15

Part 2 The Walk of Faith 17

6 The Sacraments: Life and Sustenance for the Way 19

7 Baptism: The Beginning 24

8 Grace from Generation to Generation 27

9 Confirmation: Crucial to Our Continuing 30

10 The Eucharist: Sacrament of Love 33

11 Living the Eucharist 36

12 Reconciliation: The Power of Forgiveness 39

13 Anointing of the Sick: God's Compassion as We Persevere 42

14 Religious Vocations: Walking in Service 45

15 Christian Marriage: Walking in Covenant 48

Part 3 The Gifts of the Walk 51

16 Holy Spirit: Our Companion on the Way 53

17 Walking with Wisdom 56

18 Walking with Understanding 59

19 Walking with Good Counsel 61

20 Walking with Fortitude 64

21 Walking with Knowledge 67

22 Walking with True Piety 70

23 Walking in the Fear of the Lord 72

Part 4 The Witness of the Walk 75

24 Inviting Others to Walk with Us 77

25 To Make the Gospel Visible 80

26 Rich by Jesus' Poverty 84

27 The Beatitudes: Revolutionary Path to Joy 89

28 "Blessed are the poor in spirit…" 92

29 "… for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." 95

30 The Culture of Encounter 97

Part 5 To Accompany on the Walk 103

31 The Time of Mercy 105

32 Feeding the People of God 112

33 The Priestly Joy 115

34 Bishops, Witnesses of the Risen One 121

35 Making Church While Walking 124

36 The Church Is Alive If It Astounds 128

Essential Chronology of Pope Francis's Life 130

List of Sources 133

Editorial Reviews

03/09/2015
This new collection of excerpts from papal encyclicals, recent homilies, and addresses focuses on returning to the basics of the faith and seeing them through fresh eyes and a renewed perspective. Using the act of walking to symbolize and explore the life of faith, Pope Francis suggests that Jesus is the best companion for the Christian journey. Yet it is also crystal clear that the head of the Catholic Church believes that the sacraments and sacramental life play a key role in this walk. They mark crucial moments in living the life of faith, and they offer grace, strength, and determination to all those who celebrate them. Francis also exhorts the faithful to ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit, who will help them make choices. "We need Christians who make God's mercy and tenderness for every creature visible to the men and women of our day," Francis writes. Perhaps no one has as much potential to buoy the human spirit through his words as Francis, whose life and public speeches are closely watched by so many. The book's foreword is by Archbishop Blase J. Cupich of Chicago, the pope's first major U.S. appointment. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

Magnificent.  A beautiful invitation by a truly holy man to meet the one at the center of his life: Jesus Christ.”

 - James Martin, SJ, author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage.

 

Walking with Jesus offers a carefully selected collection of recent homilies, discourses and messages of our astonishing Pope Francis. The excellent translation captures the remarkable humanity, turns of phrase, metaphors and imagery of a pope who is second to none as communicator. Expert editing makes each selection a real treat, accessible and easy to read, while inviting you to reflection and prayer. What a wonderful addition to our knowledge of the fresh and inspiring message of a revolutionary pope from 'the ends of the earth!'" 
- Allan Figueroa Deck, SJ
Casassa Chair and Professor of Theology
Loyola Marymount University


"Growing up on the gritty streets of Chicago’s West Side, I was taught to never walk alone. The same advice holds true for the spiritual journey and Pope Francis shows us how to walk with Jesus every step of the way. Thank you, Holy Father, for reminding us that, with Jesus at our side, we have nothing to fear!"
–Joe Paprocki, DMin


"Making an important contribution to the new evangelization, Walking with Jesus weaves together the major themes of Pope Francis’s pontificate centered around the encounter with Christ. The perfect companion for those seeking to grow in their relationship with Christ, the Sacraments and the Holy Spirit, Walking with Jesus is sure to inspire you to follow in the footsteps of Pope Francis to grow in your faith."
- Julianne Stanz
Director of Evangelization
Diocese of Green Bay


"A wonderfully inspiring and stirring resource capturing the depth of Pope Francis's magnificent vision and mission. His powerful message speaks of the richness of Catholic story and tradition. Walking with Jesus: A Way Forward for the Church is an exceptional source of wisdom and guidance for all involved in the ministry of religious education."
- Edith Prendergast, RSC
Director Religious Education, Archdiocese Los Angeles 


“Pope Francis knows that the encounter with Jesus Christ puts our lives on a new path. Our life of faith is a journey that we are making with Jesus—walking with him, sharing his life, traveling in the company of brothers and sisters who have accepted his invitation: ‘Follow me.’ In this inspiring book, our Holy Father offers us bread for the journey—to deepen our friendship with Jesus and our fellowship in continuing his mission of mercy in our world.”
—Most Reverend José H. Gomez, Archbishop of Los Angeles


“The words of Pope Francis paint a vision of a Church constantly on the move as a dynamic missionary community of disciples. He calls bishops, priests, catechists, and parents to become new evangelizers, giving living witness to the person of Jesus Christ while building up the Church. Taking this seriously could change the very nature of catechesis and clergy formation.”
—Joyce S. Donahue, Catechetical Associate, Diocese of Joliet


“What a wonderful addition to our knowledge of the fresh and inspiring message of a revolutionary pope from ‘the ends of the earth!’”
—Allan Figueroa Deck, SJ, Casassa Chair and Professor of Theology, Loyola Marymount University

From the Publisher