FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Christine Valentine-Owsik • (215) 230-8095 • cowsik@osv.com

HUNTINGTON, Indiana, September 15, 2014 – Like Christ’s heart-stopping

summoning of Matthew, the deceptive tax collector, to consider Him and

discover a radical renewal, Pope Francis’ The Joy of the Gospel asks Catholics to

begin anew as disciples with the same passion.

Pope Francis and the Joy of the Gospel: Rediscovering the Heart of a

Disciple (Our Sunday Visitor, 2014), by theologian, author and speaker Dr.

Edward Sri, serves as a “spiritual retreat” with Pope Francis as retreat master.

Drawing from the Pope’s 2013 apostolic exhortation The Joy of the Gospel, Dr.

Sri walks readers through Francis’ teachings and perspectives, illustrating their practical application in the daily life of

imitating Christ.

Particularly, the book grapples with typical scenarios wherein Catholics can either live as eye-level examples of Christ,

or behave like everyone else. Do Catholics wait safely in churches for people to come to them, or venture into society’s

peripheries to engage those most in crisis? Are they tempted to quick judgment or dismissal of those who disagree or

don’t see things their way? Do they exhibit impatience, condescension, or despair at the status quo? Do they extend

timely compassion, charity and help to those in need, or hide behind a consumerist lifestyle? Are they overly protective

of their free time, or willing to be inconvenienced for sake of another? These are uncomfortably familiar situations

which demand re-thinking by even the most devout Catholic.

Pope Francis and The Joy of the Gospel helps those of all walks of life to live out the Holy Father’s vision for the

renewal of the Church through his very accessible style of ‘new evangelization.’

“This is intended to be a highly readable book,” states Sri, intended for those who are “inspired by [Pope Francis’]

witness and teaching and want to live out his message more in their daily lives.”

Spiritual retreat with Francis makes Joy of the Gospel practical

Dr. Sri breaks down the apostolic exhortation into 11 chapters that each include a synopsis, primary themes and quotes,

and reflection questions to help readers delve deeper into the topic, inculcating it into their everyday lives. The book can

be used by individuals or adult study groups. It likewise assists parish leaders and pastors by clarifying the Pope’s vision

for the renewal of the Church.

“Dr. Sri’s explanation of the Holy Father’s vision is an examination of conscience on steroids.  He drives home the

Pope’s central question: is the motivation for the practice of our Catholic Faith to comfort ourselves or a burning desire

to bring Christ to a world starving for want of His love?  Dr. Sri provides a clear, practical way for us to rediscover or

find a true disciple’s heart.” -- Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, Kansas City, Kansas

“Dr. Sri has crafted an excellent book that presents the full force of Pope Francis’ challenge to discover and live the joy

of the Gospel. Our world needs to hear that mercy, forgiveness, and love are possible in Christ, and this book will help

you experience and present that hope-filled message to everyone you encounter.” -- The Most Reverend Samuel J.

Aquila, Archbishop of Denver

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For an interview with Dr. Edward Sri, please contact Christine Valentine-Owsik at: (215) 230-8095 or cowsik@osv.com

ABOUT OUR SUNDAY VISITOR

The world’s largest English-language Catholic publisher, Our Sunday Visitor serves millions of Catholics globally

through its publishing, offertory, and communication services. Established in 1912, Our Sunday Visitor publishes a wide

range of books including Bibles, biographies of the saints, books by Pope Francis, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI,

children’s books, devotionals, bible studies, inspirational works, and curriculum. Our Sunday Visitor is a not-for-profit

organization, returning a portion of net earnings back to the Catholic community through the Our Sunday Visitor

Institute.  For more information, visit www.osv.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Edward Sri is a theologian, author and nationally-known Catholic speaker who appears regularly on EWTN. He has

written several Catholic best-selling books, including A Biblical Walk through the Mass which was used in about 1 out of

4 parishes in the USA in preparation for the new translation of the Mass.

He currently serves as a professor of theology and Vice President of Mission and Outreach at the Augustine Institute in

Denver, Colorado. Dr. Sri is a founding leader of FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students). He also is the

creator and host of a new 18-part video series on the Catholic faith for parish adult faith formation called Symbolon

(Augustine Institute), and he serves the general editor of Opening the Word, a new App with video and personal

reflections on the Sunday Mass Readings (Augustine Institute).