Christ in the Eyes of the Beholder
Belief? Or Human Wisdom?
The Life of Christ by Abbe Fouard (St. Paul, MN: Catechetical Guild Educational Society, 1954, pb, 2nd edition, 1908 imprimatur). Here’s an example of good instructional and devotional material from the first half of the twentieth century. Originally published at the beginning of the century, it was re-published during the reign of Pius XII in an accessible and handy-sized paperback (though still with an original introduction by Cardinal Manning from earlier editions). I think this came from the local church thrift store. https://www.amazon.com/Life-Christ-Constant-Fouard/dp/B000J49X8M/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
By way of contrast we have Who Is Christ by Anthony Padovano (Notre Dame, IN: Ave Maria Press, 1969 3rd printing, pb, imprimatur). “A creative theologian explores the question which is basic to any attempt at genuine renewal.” Not surprisingly, Padovano left the priesthood: http://www.leavingthepriesthood.com/In_Search_for_Freedom_Padovano.pdf “There is no future in reactionary Catholicism. The Council has held; young people find it in the zeitgeist and in the world they inhabit; the essence of the Council is embedded in the truth and wisdom and life of the human family and the signs of our times. It is all inescapable now. Where the world fails, authentic Catholics will speak out; where the Church fails, the world will correct it. This is what the Incarnation and the gift of the Spirit mean for our age.” Bought this at local church thrift store.
At the Feet of Jesus by Madame Cecilia (Burns & Oates: London, 1904, cloth, 1900 imprimatur). In libraries: https://search.worldcat.org/title/1318898768 Perhaps there are readers who know something about Madame Cecilia. The title page merely gives us “Religious of St. Andrew’s Convent, Streatham.” The foxing is mostly restricted to the non-text pages.
The Great Teacher by Very Rev. Tihamer Toth (St. Louis, MO.: B. Herder, 1939, hc, imprimatur). ABE: https://www.abebooks.com/Great-Teacher-Rev-Tihamer-Toth-Herder/31080351224/bd Bp. Toth (Hungarian, 1889-1939) gives us some meaty sermons about Christ and Christianity.
The Life of Christ by Isidore O’Brien, O.F.M. (Paterson, NJ: St. Anthony Guild Press, 1937, sc, imprimatur). Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/life-Christ-Isidore-OBrien/dp/B0029OX2Y6 O’Brien’s book features study and discussion questions at the end of each chapter.
Etc.: The desperate, thrilling, ecstatic life of the loins cannot purchase life eternal.