Embracing the Way of Jesus: Reflections from Pope Francis on Living Our Faith

2018 Catholic Press Association, 3rd Place: Pope Francis

“There is a charm and a charism to Pope Francis. His words have a way of captivating the reader. Like all good pastors, he points to Jesus. Prepare now to join Pope Francis on this walk along ‘the Way.’” —From the Foreword by ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH E. KURTZ Ask someone for a definition of Christianity and you are likely to hear a philosophical, historical, or even cultural description of it. But any explanation of the Christian faith that fails to define it as a way of being, of proceeding, is missing the mark. For at its core, Christianity is about living—and loving—as committed disciples of Jesus Christ.

Embracing the Way of Jesus is a beautifully curated collection of excerpts from the homilies and writings of Pope Francis, all centering on Christianity as a way of life—or, as the earliest Christians would have understood it, “the Way.” Through the Pope’s meditations on Scripture, we pause to consider essential aspects of discipleship such as The Way of the Cross, The Way of Prayer, The Way of Children, The Way of the Poor, and more. The book even offers a rare opportunity to see more clearly the path of discipleship through the lens of the Old Testament.

For anyone desiring to live out the faith in a way that can truly transform and heal our hearts and our world, Embracing the Way of Jesus is the perfect place to start.

Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina. A member of the Society of Jesus, he was appointed a Cardinal in 2001. Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, Bergoglio was named his successor. He chose the name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. His pontificate was characterized by his many acts of humility, concern for the poor, and his commitment to dialogue and community. He was the author The New York Times bestseller Dear Pope Francis, among many other books. Pope Francis passed away on April 20, 2025.

 

JAMES P. CAMPBELL, D.MIN., father of two children and grandfather of six, is a religious educator and author. He is the coauthor of the Finding God religious education program and has three post-graduate degrees, including masters degrees in theology and history and a doctorate in Ministry in Christian Education from the Aquinas Institute of Theology. He lives in Rockford, IL, with his wife Barbara.