T MUST BE A STRANGE experience to witness your “collected works” beginning to be assembled. It says something about not only a person’s scholarship and distinction, but also his or her age. I would imagine it is an experience that demands humility, docility, & prayer.
As you may be aware, Ignatius Press has begun the compilation of the Collected Works of Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI). The first volume has just been published this month. Interestingly, the first volume to appear is actually labeled Volume 11. This is because the Holy Father expressed the desire to have his writings on the liturgy published first, before the rest of the collection. That liturgy should be his priority will not surprise those who have studied Ratinzger’s writings over the years; the sacred liturgy has always been the center of the cosmos and of all reality in his theological worldview.
For a good introduction to this new release, check out the summary posted by Ignatius Press. Included there are several quotes from the author’s Introduction, which help to explain some of the professorial mind of our Pope Emeritus.
I look forward to the completion of these Collected Works.
