Radical Discipleship: Consecrated Life and the Call to Holiness

Francis Cardinal Arinze

Dec 2014 · Ignatius Press

About this ebook

Since 2015 has been ; deemed the Year of the Consecrated Life by Pope Francis, ; this work by Cardinal Arinze is a very timely one-for this ; year, and for any time. A reflection on the consecrated ; life, Radical Discipleship represents a beautiful ; way for faithful Catholics to participate in this ; Church-wide theme and celebration by coming to a deeper ; understanding of the consecrated life.

Radical ; Discipleship illuminates the vocation of the ; consecrated state and its presence in the Body of Christ, ; beginning with a brief look at its origins in Scripture and ; the early Church. The work then reflects upon the ; following:

• The different forms this radical ; life takes
• The population of consecrated persons ; in the Church today
• The recognition that the ; consecrated life has received from the Church
• The ; vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience taken by all ; consecrated persons
• Community life as it pertains ; to consecrated life
• The prophetic aspect of the ; consecrated life
• The impact of the consecrated ; state on the Church community and on ; society

Alongside these fascinating topics, ; Cardinal Arinze addresses some of the problems faced by ; consecrated people, and how these difficulties have led ; some to abandon this vocation. In examining the struggles ; specific to the consecrated state, the Cardinal seeks to ; encourage other consecrated persons to persevere in their ; vocation. He further calls the entire Church to support the ; consecrated life and those who have dedicated themselves to ; Christ in this way.

Although filled with substantive ; information, even the most involved sections are presented ; in an engaging, readable and reflective style. The book is ; not, as the Cardinal explains, "a dissertation based on ; deep research on the theology and canon law on the ; consecrated life". Radical Discipleship is ; rather a reflection, written for consecrated people, other ; laity and clergy alike, and offers wonderful material for ; thought and prayer. It is Cardinal Arinze's hope that his ; work will make the consecrated life "better understood, ; loved, lived and promoted".

About the author

Francis Cardinal Arinze is the former Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. The Nigerian prelate has written many books and articles on theology, spirituality, and pastoral practice, including Meeting Jesus and Following Him, Radical Discipleship: The Layperson's Distinctive Role, Marian Veneration, and God's Invisible Hand, all published by Ignatius Press.