Catecheses delivered Mar. 2007-June 2008.

Rev. ed. of: The Fathers.

"A Giniger book."

Includes bibliographical references.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

"Over the past two years, at his Wednesday audiences, Pope Benedict XVI delivered a series of short talks on the Fathers of the Church. He focused not only on such famous and influential Fathers as Augustine and John Chrysostom but also on figures not venerated as saints; one subject, Tertullian, even died outside the Catholic communion. This volume contains thirty-six of these fascinating teachings." "Pope Benedict's catecheses often begin with historical information about his subject, setting the Father in the context of his time. He pays attention to the teaching of each Father, but often in unexpected ways - his concern is not only with Christian doctrine but also with care for the poor and with the relation of the Church to the state. Frequently he applies the teaching of his subject to a contemporary situation. Many of his catecheses end with a prayer written by his subject." "In these catecheses the Pope is not delivering academic lectures or preaching sermons. Rather, he is instructing Christians who want to have their faith confirmed and strengthened. Pope Benedict firmly believes that the Fathers of the Church speak to Christians today, and his accessible presentations will make many general readers eager to look further into the writings of these great early Christians."--BOOK JACKET.