"Daily devotions are a treasured practice in the lives of many Christians - a time to pause and reflect on spiritual matters and often a prelude to prayer. This collection of a year's worth of daily devotions written by Pope John XXIII, arguably the greatest pope of the modern period and undoubtedly the most beloved, will be a valued source of inspiration for many. While readers savor the scope and penetration of Pope John's words, they will also cherish the memory of Pope John XXIII, whose landmark Second Vatican Council made him a world symbol of love and outreach to people of all faiths." "These selections from Pope John's daily prayers and devotions represent a wide range of his concerns, from doctrinal matters of spirit and belief to the more practical issues of living life as a true Christian. Beginning with reflections on the New Year and proceeding to the joyful celebration of Christmas, these devotions capture the Pontiff's thoughts over the course of the liturgical year, with special emphasis given to the most important seasons of the Christian calendar, Lent and Advent." "A gifted thinker, Pope John sought to engage the Church in the challenges posed to the faithful by modernity, with its unprecedented demands upon the family, belief, and morality. Perhaps this is why his words, though penned more than three decades ago, are still so meaningful to our lives. In these pages Pope John speaks familiarly to his readers, inspiring noble thoughts and arousing generous feelings in their hearts. Those who find that daily devotions are an important way to foster Christian growth and renewal will surely find that Pope John XXIII serves as a wise and good shepherd on the spiritual journey."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved