Mechernich/Rom
e – On the death of Pope Francis, the Ordo Communionis in Christo in Mechernich has placed a book of condolences in the foundation chapel. In addition, the renowned Würzburg-based publishing house Echter-Verlag is offering four books published in the "Edition Communio" by and about Jorge Mario Bergoglio and Francis respectively at www.echter.de/edition-communio.
This was announced by Father Jaison Thazhathil, Superior General of the Ordo Communionis in Christo, and Father Rudolf Ammann ISch, the spiritual director of the Communio and responsible for the community's book publications, on Thursday in Mechernich, two days before the planned burial of the Holy Father's mortal remains.
The books are Jorge Mario Bergoglio's "Letters in Distress", a collection of "writings of Ignatian spirituality", according to the editors Antonio Spadaro and Diego Fares, both Jesuits and editors of "La Civiltà Cattolica" in Rome. The book contains five letters from the Pope and eight letters from the former Jesuit generals Lorenzo Ricci (1703-1775) and Jan Roothaan (1785-1853). ISBN: 978-3-429-05543-1 (16,90 €)
For reading and praying
The content of these letters is "a treasure trove of criteria for discernment" that offer "criteria for action, suitable for not allowing oneself to be absorbed by institutional desolation", writes Jorge Mario Bergoglio in his foreword. It is signed "Francis" and ends with the words: "I recommend reading them (these letters) and praying with them. These letters are - as many have noted in concrete circumstances - a true source of gentleness, encouragement and bright hope."
The second edition of the volume "Der Reformer: Von Papst Franziskus lernen - ein Appell" by Jesuit Dr Andreas Batlogg and theologian Prof. Dr Dr Paul R. Zulehner has also been published by Edition Communio bei Echter. The two authors focus on the Pope's reform impulses. ISBN: 978-3-429-05395-6 (14,90 €)
The Pope's book "Der Inspirator" by theologian and publicist Dr Manfred Kopp, who has been press spokesman and head of the press office and public relations of the German Bishops' Conference since 2009, has also been published by Echter's "Edition Communio". ISBN: 978-3-429-04486-2 (€16.90).
Finally, Prof. Dr Erich Garhammer, Chair of Pastoral Theology at the University of Würzburg from 2000 to 2017, editor of the journal "Lebendige Seelsorge" (2004 to 2021) and co-editor of the series "Studien zur Theologie und Praxis der Seelsorge", presented the background and theological context of Pope Francis' Christmas speeches in 2018 under the title "Der Chef". ISBN: 978-3-429-04487-9 (€12.90)
Personally with Francis
Father Karl-Heinz Haus, the first Superior General of the Ordo Communionis in Christo, which was founded by Mother Marie Therese in Mechernich in 1984 and recognised by the Bishop of Aachen, Dr Helmut Dieser, on 13 October 2017, presented Pope Francis with Mother Marie Therese's founding cross and the Rule of the Ordo Communionis in Christo in November 2021, accompanied by a twelve-strong delegation from Mechernich, so that he may lead the Church and the world out of the crisis.
"It cannot be said that this wish has not been fulfilled," said the new Superior General Jaison Thazhathil: "Pope Francis was a wonderful Holy Father who led and guided the Church of Christ in a completely different way to his predecessors. He left us many impulses and pointers in the right direction. It was not his task to impose them and himself. Now we must continue on his path together - as the people of God, together in communion..."
