Reviews
Drawing on the pastoral actions and homilies of Pope Francis to motivate all preachers, Fr. Heille reminds us powerfully the good preacher not only practices what he preaches but also how he preaches. The "what" is the full life of following Jesus (discipleship) and the "how," a proclamation from the heart steeped in the Word of God. As he presents the "10,000 hour" rule for developing any lasting virtue, the author invites preachers to apply that rule both in the way one preaches and the way one lives a life of discipleship in a community of faith. I enjoyed reading this book, including the personal witness in the concluding chapter.
Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, President, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Fr. Gregory Heille's poetic and personal book is an act of love for a master preacher that convincingly shows how Pope Francis exemplifies all that the Church has called for in the renewal of preaching. With considerable experience as a preacher and teacher of preaching, Fr. Heille links Pope Francis's homiletic practice with Church documents on preaching in this beautiful, concise and heart-felt book.
Deacon Peter Lovrick, Professor of Homiletics, St. Augustine's Seminary, Toronto
Fr. Heille's book provides a broad frame by which the student-preacher can gain substantial insights into the missionary nuance of Pope Francis' preaching style. Both the new and experienced preacher will benefit from the way each chapter weaves together illustrations of Pope Francis' homilies with good preaching theory and method. The attentive selection, reading and interpretation of the homilies that Fr. Heille offers highlight the depth and universality of Pope Francis' missionary discipleship. For those of us who may not readily label ourselves as preachers, the book gives us a rich meditation into the life of a pope who has captured our imagination.
F. Javier Orozco, Executive Director of Intercultural and Interreligious Affairs, Archdiocese of St. Louis
Pope Francis places emphasis on preaching as a way to form missionary disciples. As a pastor I identified with Fr. Heille's point that: `Daily preaching is a choral exercise of daily prayer supported by lifelong practices of discipleship, study, reflection, and service.' Proclaiming Good News to the poor is an essential part of the `social dimension of Evangelization.'
Msgr. Charles Kosanke, STD, Pastor, St. Regis Parish, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Chairman, Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan
The joy of the Gospel and its power to transform hearts and history shine forth in Greg Heille's astute analysis of the preaching of Pope Francis. Heille's own fidelity to preaching the Word in season and out of season is clear as he highlights the call of Papa Francesco to all baptized Christians to embrace the vocation of missionary disciples.
Mary Catherine Hilkert, OP, Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame, Author of Naming Grace: Preaching and the Sacramental Imagination
As informed and informative as it is inspired and inspiring, The Preaching of Pope Francis is critically important and essential reading by seminary students, Catholic priests, deacons, and lay members of the church.
The Midwest Book Review
Gregory Heille, OP provides his readers with a brief, thoughtful introduction to the principle themes, textures, and tone of Pope Francis's preaching.
Homiletic