By: Diane M. Houdek

Pope Francis has set a new tone for the interaction between the church and the world, and that tone is one of joy, hope, and new life. Like his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, he locates that joy in a personal encounter with Christ in the Gospels. By reflecting on his words and following his example, Christians can transform their own lives and relationships.

Pope Francis and Our Call to Joy looks to discover the real Jesus in the Gospels, to understand the Church in the real world, to locate the special place of the poor and vulnerable and to find peace and the common good as part of our call in life.

Reflections, discussion questions and suggestions for action take Pope Francis’s accessible words of encouragement and apply them to the everyday life of ordinary Christians.