Discover the Joy of Hope

Discover the Joy of Hope

Discover the Joy of Hope (Title in Italian: Scoprite la gioia della speranza), Edizioni Art, Roma 2002.

This publication contains the Cardinal’s last spiritual exercises pronounced in February of 2002 (a few months before his death) to a group of about 50 priests belonging to the Legionaries of Christ in Rome. In these 7 reflections, Van Thuân speaks of the priestly vocation and of his own vocation, presenting it as a joy: joy of meeting Christ, joy of the gift of the Eucharist, joy of being both Father and Pastor with Christ, joy of the gift of Mary, joy of the gift of a Church in communion, joy of apostolic enthusiasm, and joy of the gift of the present moment.

The 7 meditations are followed by a concluding Homily, as well as the Cardinal’s answers to questions posed by his audience. The publication concludes with the homily of His Holiness John Paul II, pronounced by the Pontiff at the Cardinal’s funeral.