Twentieth-Century Apostles: Contemporary Spirituality in Action

by Phyllis Zagano

Overview

Who is an apostle? While the New Testament seems to only include Paul with the Twelve, many passages expand the meaning. It is that expanded meaning that Phyllis Zagano uses to name twelve apostles from the twentieth century, with the hope that by examining their lives others will be encouraged to live similarly.

In Twentieth-Century Apostles, Zagano explains that many apostles never received their commission directly from Jesus in the flesh, but were both called and sent by the living Jesus in their souls. Like Paul, they never claimed to be apostles, but their right to be known as such is based on their living the common characteristics of an apostle: personal election by Jesus and personal experience of the living Jesus, in life (as with the Twelve) or in the resurrection (as with Paul). They proclaim the risen Lord and carry on the tradition. They are the basic constitutive elements of the Church.

Zagano selects twelve apostles from the twentieth century whose lives and writings portray both their deep relationship with God and their intense involvement with the world around them. In Twentieth-Century Apostles she examines those lives and writings by devoting a chapter to each of the twelve apostles she has selected Charles de Foucald, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Giovanni Battista Montini (Pal VI), Dorothy Day, Jessica Powers, Franz Jägerstätter, Teresa of Calcutta, Thomas Merton, Roger of Taiz é,Oscar Romero, Jean Vanier, and Thea Bowman.

The apostles in Twentieth-Century Apostles span this century, as historical records of our progress and as predictors of times to come. Called and sent, they lead us all in lives of prayer and service.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814625545
Publisher:	Liturgical Press, The
Publication date:	04/28/1999
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.37(w) x 8.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Phyllis Zagano is senior research associate-in-residence and adjunct professor of religion at Hofstra University and founding co-chair of the Roman Catholic Studies Group of the American Academy of Religion. The author or editor of eighteen books in religious studies, including Catholic Press Association and College Theology Society book award winners, Zagano is also the series editor of the Spirituality in History Series published by Liturgical Press.

Editorial Reviews

Phyllis Zagano has wonderfully brought together informative introductions and challenging readings from a dozen twentieth-century apostles. Their lively spiritualities-in-action challenge all Christians to live out a gospel-centered life today. These women and men of our own century have much to teach us about how to live as Christians today - how to pray, how to serve. A splendid sampler of spiritual life for active Christians.
Terrence W. Tilley; Co-Chair, AAR Roman Catholic Studies Group; Chair, Department of Religious Studies, University of Dayton

One of the beauties of this book is that it shows the variety of responses to God's call in our world today.
Liguorian

This book might well be included in an introductory course on Catholicism. Students could be invited, for example, to seek similarities among the diverse persons who are presented; what makes them all 'catholic'? This book also makes for good inspirational reading.
Catholic Library World

From the Publisher