The following 13 books by
Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger) may be borrowed from the Adult Faith Resource Centre:
Being Christian (1967)
This book was written after Joseph Ratzinger
returned from attending the sessions at Vatican II. It is a practical book written
originally as sermons for Catholic students. They have been re-written by Ratzinger taking
into account the faithful to whom they are addressed. He takes the Advent themes of Hope,
Faith, and Love as foundational to what it really means to live as a Christian in
today’s world.
Salt of the Earth: Christianity
and the Catholic Church at the End of the Millennium (1997)
Interviewed by Peter Sewald, Joseph Ratziner
discusses his own life, including his family life, seminary studies, being a theology
professor and writer, becoming a Bishop, Cardinal and an authority of doctrine. He
discusses the problems of the Church, including divorce, celibacy, contraception,
abortion, women’s ordination, ecumenism and talks about the future of the Church at
the beginning of the Third Millennium.
Introduction to Christianity
(1969)
This book is an explanation of the
Apostle’s Creed. Ratzinger develops an understanding of faith that is an acceptance
of the fact that human existence cannot be sufficiently nourished and supported by
material wealth. His concern is for the involving content of the creed’s statements
in today’s world.
Introduction to the Catechism of
the Catholic Church (1994)
Co-authored with Christopher Schönborn this
slim volume brings together various introductory presentations of the Catechism given by
the authors since its appearance. Their intent is to provide an elementary aid to reading
and study to the Cathechism.
In the Beginning: A Catholic
Understanding of the Story of Creation and the Fall (1995)
This book consists of five homilies that
provide a clear and biblically based explanation of the Genesis creation narratives.
Joseph Ratzinger discusses God the creator, the meaning of the biblical creation accounts,
the creation of human beings, sin and salvation and the consequences of faith in creation.
It also serves as an excellent resource for priests.
A New Song for the Lord: Faith in
Christ and Liturgy Today (1996)
This study examines Christ as the center of
faith and as the reason for worship in the Church. Drawing on Old and New Testament themes
Ratzinger reviews the foundations for worship that enhance the glory offered to God
through an earthly and heavenly liturgy. The last section of the book discusses the role
of a priestly people.
The Ratzinger Report (1985)
A Cardinal and a layman met for several days
to discuss the issues troubling the Church today. This book is an account of that meeting
which analyzed, with clarity, the roots of the crisis. It is a clear and uncompromising
report based on the most reliable information from every continent. Ratzinger’s
observations are as hopeful and balanced and re-affirming of the positive work of Vatican
II.
The Spirit of the Liturgy
(2000)
This book is intended to assist a renewed
understanding of the liturgy in all its beauty, hidden wealth and time-transcending
activity that is the very center of the life of the Church. Ratzinger does this through
addressing the present-day questions, hopes and dangers facing the life of the Church. He
says: “I am simply offering an aid to the understanding of the faith and to the right
way to give the faith its central form of expression in the liturgy.”
The Meaning of the Christian
Brotherhood (1960)
Written over three decades ago, this book is
timely and important for cooperation among believers. In treating Christian brotherhood
from the perspective of salvation history Ratzinger reveals a distinctively Christian
sense of brotherhood, in contrast to Judaism, Hellenism, Stoicism, the Enlightenment,
Marxism and shows how fraternal charity is perfected through God’s fatherhood,
Christ’s sonship and our brotherhood in Christ.
Principles of Christian Morality
(1986)
Joseph Ratzinger’s contribution in this
volume is entitled, “The Church’s Teaching Authority – Faith –
Morals”. Heinz Schurmann and Hans Urs von Balthasar contribute the other sections,
“How Normative are the Values and Precepts of the New Testament?” and “Nine
Propositions on Christian Ethics.” The
authors are well aware of the fragmentary nature of what they have written. It must be
said that the great fundamental questions of theology never fit neatly into the
specialists’ categories; they always need to be discussed in an open forum.
Many Religions – One
Covenant: Israel, the Church and the World (1999)
This book spans modern scholarship to
present a compelling biblical theology, modern in its concerns and yet classical in its
breadth. The covenant defines religion for Christians and Jews and we cannot discern
God’s design if we do not meditate upon this covenant that proposes a fully
integrated Christian life.
Called to Communion (1991)
This book explains how providential are the
trials through which the Catholic Church is now passing. It is a collection of insights
that brings out the development of Catholic doctrine in our day without surrendering the
deposit of faith entrusted to the Church. Here we have presented a good grasp of the
issues of the day and a renewed understanding of the central mystery of the Church.