Originality Published in English in 1988, Joseph Ratzinger's Eschatology remains internationally recognized as a leading text on the "last things"--heaven and hell, purgatory and judgment, death and the immortality of the soul. This highly anticipated second edition includes a new preface by Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI and a supplement to the bibliography by theologian Peter A. Casarella. Eschatology presents a balanced perspective of the doctrine at the center of Christian belief--the Church's faith in eternal life. Recognizing the task of contemporary eschatology as "to marry perspectives, so that person and community, present and future, are seen in their unity," Joseph Ratzinger brings together recent emphasis on the theology of hope for the future with the more traditional elements of the doctrine. His book has proven to be as timeless as it is timely.

In this beautifully illustrated book, Cardinal Ratzinger gives us meditations on various Liturgical Seasons and Feasts throughout the year, as well as other interesting spiritual and secular themes. These profound and inspiring thoughts bring his broad theological experience as well as his wide literary interests to his people. Here is a shepherd nourishing spiritually the faithful addressed to his care. Known as one of the most penetrating intellectual defenders of orthodoxy, Cardinal Ratzinger is also highly regarded as a spiritual writer. Covering a wide variety of spiritual topics, Cardinal Ratzinger's thought provoking meditations help the faithful Catholic to "seek that which is above." Among the themes the Cardinal covers include Advent, Candlemas, Mardi Gras, the Easter Mystery, Corpus Christi, Marian Devotion, Vacation & Rest, Peace and Creation. This beautiful hardcover edition also includes a number of striking full color icon illustrations. A perfect Christmas gift, as well as inspirational and instructive spiritual reading for oneself throughout the year.

Two great theologians endeavor to recover the centrality of Marian doctrine and devotion for the contemporary Church, offering a view of Mary as both the embodiment of the Church, and the mother who cooperates in giving birth to the Church in the souls of believers.

En este original y oportuno libro --el primero que escribe desde su eleccion como papa--, Benedicto XVI rescata la figura de Jesus de recientes descripciones populares y restaura la verdadera identidad de Jesus que nos presentan los Evangelios. El papa, con su excepcional lucidez como teologo y su conviccion personal como creyente, nos presenta un retrato de Jesus impactante y veraz, y nos invita a encontrarnos cara a cara con la figura principal de la fe cristiana.
De" Jesus de Nazaret: " La gran pregunta que nos acompanara a lo largo de todo este libro: que ha traido Jesus realmente, si no ha traido la paz al mundo, el bienestar para todos, un mundo mejor? Que ha traido?
La respuesta es muy sencilla: a Dios. Ha traido a Dios. Aquel Dios cuyo rostro se habia ido revelando primero poco a poco, desde Abraham hasta la literatura sapiencial, pasando por Moises y los Profetas; el Dios que solo habia mostrado su rostro en Israel y que, si bien entre muchas sombras, habia sido honrado en el mundo de los pueblos; ese Dios, el Dios de Abraham, Isaac y Jacob, el Dios verdadero, El lo ha traido a los pueblos de la tierra.
Ha traido a Dios: ahora conocemos su rostro, ahora podemos invocarlo. Ahora conocemos el camino que debemos seguir como hombres en este mundo. Jesus ha traido a Dios y, con El, la verdad sobre nuestro origen y nuestro destino; la fe, la esperanza y el amor.

"This book is... my personal search 'for the face of the Lord.'" --Benedict XVI

In this bold, momentous work, the pope--in his first book written as Benedict XVI--seeks to salvage the person of Jesus from recent "popular" depictions and to restore Jesus' true identity as discovered in the Gospels. Through his brilliance as a theologian and his personal conviction as a believer, the pope shares a rich, compelling, flesh-and-blood portrait of Jesus and incites us to encounter, face-to-face, the central figure of the Christian faith.
From "Jesus of Nazareth,.". "the great question that will be with us throughout this entire book: But what has Jesus really brought, then, if he has not brought world peace, universal prosperity, and a better world? What has he brought? The answer is very simple: God. He has brought God! He has brought the God who once gradually unveiled his countenance first to Abraham, then to Moses and the prophets, and then in the wisdom literature--the God who showed his face only in Israel, even though he was also honored among the pagans in various shadowy guises. It is this God, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, the true God, whom he has brought to the peoples of the earth. He has brought God, and now we know his face, now we can call upon him. Now we know the path that we human beings have to take in this world. Jesus has brought God and with God the truth about where we are going and where we come from: faith, hope, and love."

Written over three decades ago, Cardinal Ratzinger's profound treatise on the true meaning of Christian brotherhood is perhaps even more timely and important now as a clear statement on the biblical grounds for cooperation among believing Christians. In treating Christian brotherhood from the perspective of salvation history, Ratzinger opens up the meaning of both the Old and New Testament in this most essential area. After establishing the distinctively Christian sense of brotherhood (vis-à-vis Judaism, Hellenism, Stoicism, the Enlightenment, and Marxism), he shows how fraternal charity can only be perfected through God's fatherhood, Christ's divine sonship, and our brotherhood in Christ.

One of Cardinal Ratzinger's most important and widely read books, this volume is a revised second edition with an improved translation and an in-depth 20 page preface by the Cardinal. As he states in the preface, since this book was first published over 30 years ago, many changes and significant events have occurred in the world, and in the Church. But even so, he says he is firmly convinced that his fundamental approach in this book is still very timely and crucial for the spiritual needs of modern man. That approach puts the question of God and the question about Christ in the very center, which leads to a "narrative Christology" and demonstrates that the place for faith is in the Church.

Thus, this remarkable elucidation of the Apostle's Creed gives an excellent, modern interpretation of the foundations of Christianity. Ratzinger's profound treatment of Christianity's basic truths combines a spiritual outlook with a deep knowledge of Scripture and the history of theology.

Bringing together their unique vantage points as leaders of Church and State, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger and Marcello Pera challenge us to imagine what can be the future of a civilization that has abandoned its moral and cultural history. They call on the West to embrace a spiritual rather than political renewal -and to accept the moral values that alone can help us to make sense of changes in technology, economics, and society.

Written particularly for the Charismatic Renewal in the English-speaking world, "Come, Creator Spirit" is a helpful guide for a better understanding of the Holy Spirit. In this detailed commentary on the famous hymn "Veni Creator," sung at the beginning of every new year, ecumenical council, and priestly ordination, Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa describes the Paraclete and gives praise to its glory. Progressing through the hymn line by line, he provides insights, reflections, hymnography of Christian traditions, and testimonies of the saints.

This book describes the Church's experience of the Spirit of today, as well as the past. The biblical and theological base of the hymn opens the reader to the perspectives and inspirations in this book. Its Vision of the Holy Spirit in the history of salvation emerges as the reader progresses through the reading. In the celebration of the ecumenical character of "Veni Creator," this book draws from Orthodox, Protestant, and Catholic traditions for al those who wish to seek a better understanding of the Holy Spirit.

Chapters are Spirit, Come " *Creator, - *Fill with Heavenly Grace the Hearts that You Have Made, - *You Whom We Name the Paraclete, - *Most High Gift of God, - *Living Water, - *Fire, - *Love, - *Anointing for the Soul, - *Sevenfold in Your Gifts, - *Finger of God's Right Hand, - *The Father's Solemn Promise, - *Gifting Lips with the Word to Say, - *Kindle Your Light in Our Minds, - *Pour Love into Our Hearts, - *Infirmity in This Body of Ours Overcoming with Strength Secure, - *The Enemy Drive from Us Away, - *Peace Then Give without Delay, - *With You As Guide We Avoid al Cause of Harm, - *Through You May We the Father Know, - *Through You May We Know the Son As Well, - and *And You, the Spirit of Them Both, May We Always Believe. -

"Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap, is past professor of the history of Christian origins at the Catholic University of Milan and a member of the International Theological Commission. He is preacher to the papal household and author of "The Mystery of Pentecost, Easter in the Early Church; The Eucharist: Our Sanctification; The Mystery of God's Word; The Holy Spirit in the Life of Jesus; Jesus Christ, The Holy One of God; Mary, Mirror of the Church; The Mystery of Christmas;" and "The Mystery of Easter" published by The Liturgical Press."

"

In four superb homilies and a concluding essay, Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, provides a clear and inspiring exploration of the Genesis creation narratives.While the stories of the world's creation and the fall of humankind have often been subjected to reductionism of one sort or another literalists treat the Bible as a science textbook whereas rationalists divorce God from creation Ratzinger presents a rich, balanced Catholic understanding of these early biblical writings and attests to their enduring vitality.Beginning each homily with a text selected from the first three chapters of Genesis, Ratzinger discusses, in turn, God the creator, the meaning of the biblical creation accounts, the creation of human beings, and sin and salvation; in the appendix he unpacks the beneficial consequences of faith in creation.Expertly translated from German, these reflections set out a reasonable and biblical approach to creation. In the Beginning . . .' also serves as an excellent homiletic resource for priests and pastors.

Timely theological insights on culture and humanity from the pen of the Pontiff In this second volume of Joseph Ratzinger in Communio, Pope Benedict XVI speaks to various issues relating to humanity today -- conscience, technological security, the origin of human life, the meaning of Sunday, Christian hope, and more. As editor David L. Schindler notes, -Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) rarely writes on any churchly matter that does not manifest its implications for man and culture, and vice versa. Indeed, this indissoluble linking is one of the main distinguishing features of his theology.- This is the second of three volumes; the first deals with themes relating to the Church, and the third volume is to focus on theological renewal.