Here is information on two new book releases of the ... - Ignatius Press

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Chr<strong>is</strong>tine Valentine-OwsikValentine CommunicationsFor: Ignatius Press215-230-8095valencom@aol.comNew illustrated Imitation of Chr<strong>is</strong>t blends beauty and bluntnessto personify greatest writing of Thomas à Kemp<strong>is</strong>SAN FRANCISCO, February 2, 2004 – Thomas à Kemp<strong>is</strong>’ The Imitation ofChr<strong>is</strong>t has enjoyed greater popularity throughout the centuries than any other Chr<strong>is</strong>tianbook – except for the Bible. And th<strong>is</strong> first-of-its-kind illustrated anthology of TheImitation of Chr<strong>is</strong>t spotlights 40 memorable passages from the original work, with theexqu<strong>is</strong>ite enhancement of color illuminated manuscripts from the Brit<strong>is</strong>h Library.The book <strong>is</strong> based on the Engl<strong>is</strong>h translation of à Kemp<strong>is</strong>’ work by RichardChalloner (1691-1781) – th<strong>is</strong> translation being among works done by Challonerfollowing h<strong>is</strong> conversion to Catholic<strong>is</strong>m from Protestant<strong>is</strong>m. A staunch defender ofCatholic<strong>is</strong>m in England, Challoner was later ordained a priest, and ultimately wasappointed b<strong>is</strong>hop of Debra.At the very beginning of The Imitation of Chr<strong>is</strong>t, à Kemp<strong>is</strong> reminds readers that tobecome a follower of Chr<strong>is</strong>t, one must imitate H<strong>is</strong> life, and to accompl<strong>is</strong>h th<strong>is</strong>, one mustlikew<strong>is</strong>e “meditate on H<strong>is</strong> life as it <strong>is</strong> described in the Gospels.” Thomas à Kemp<strong>is</strong> wasacutely aware of the human condition with all its frailties and fragmentations, and wroteThe Imitation of Chr<strong>is</strong>t to guide the faithful reader through a purification process with adouble benefit: to steer the soul’s focus to the reality of eternal life, and strengthen thelife of charity toward one’s neighbor.Even today, the soul-searching words written by th<strong>is</strong> 15 th -century German monkcontinue to resonate, unbounded by time or place, making the Imitation of Chr<strong>is</strong>t themost widely read Chr<strong>is</strong>tian book of all time, with the exception of the Bible. Drawing onScripture, the early church Fathers, and medieval mystic<strong>is</strong>m, à Kemp<strong>is</strong>’ four-part treat<strong>is</strong>eshrugs off the allure of the material world and <strong>is</strong> clearly considered h<strong>is</strong> greatestmasterpiece.Th<strong>is</strong> new illustrated version includes some of the Brit<strong>is</strong>h Library’s finestilluminated manuscripts, like the Isabella Breviary and the Hastings, Bedford and SforzaHours – resulting in a magnificent book which will impassion and inspire all who enjoytimeless Chr<strong>is</strong>tian writing. The book’s artwork truly embodies the medieval style of the

Middle Ages during which its text was written, yet so exactingly and timelessly depictsthe common weaknesses and sinfulness of followers of Chr<strong>is</strong>t in the face of H<strong>is</strong> universalLove and Redemption. Throughout the book, à Kemp<strong>is</strong> guides the reader in how toreally imitate Chr<strong>is</strong>t … and thus more fully know him, love him, and live with him foreternity.“Naturally the language and the outlook of The Imitation of Chr<strong>is</strong>t <strong>is</strong> set in amedieval world view, but Thomas à Kemp<strong>is</strong>’ fundamental message and teaching <strong>is</strong>authentically that of the Gospel – and if th<strong>is</strong> appears at times stark and uncomprom<strong>is</strong>ing,it may indeed provide a healthy challenge to our modern sensibilities,” says BenedictineMonk, Fr. David Morland in h<strong>is</strong> foreword to th<strong>is</strong> edition.###San Franc<strong>is</strong>co-based Ignatius Press, founded in 1978, <strong>is</strong> currently the largest Catholic publ<strong>is</strong>her in the U.S. IgnatiusPress <strong>is</strong> dedicated to publ<strong>is</strong>hing and d<strong>is</strong>tributing <strong>information</strong> on the Catholic faith, and publ<strong>is</strong>hes over 40 books eachyear (with over 800 titles in print). Its author-roster includes some of the foremost names in the Catholic Church.Ignatius <strong>is</strong> also the publ<strong>is</strong>her of Catholic World Report and Homiletic & Pastoral Review magazines. Ordering<strong>information</strong> can be found at: www.ignatius.com, or by calling: 1-800-651-1531.

Joseph N. Tylenda, S. J.(modern-Engl<strong>is</strong>h translator for On The Passion of Chr<strong>is</strong>t: According to the Four Evangel<strong>is</strong>ts)Joseph Tylenda was born in Dickson City, PA in 1928 and obtained h<strong>is</strong> early andintermediate education there. He graduated from the University of Scranton in 1948, andshortly thereafter, entered the Society of Jesus.He was ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood in June 1960, and in 1964, earned aDoctorate in Sacred Theology from Rome’s Gregorian University.He resides with the Jesuit Community at the University of Scranton, and <strong>is</strong> chaplain atMarian Convent, Marywood University, Scranton, PA.Among Fr. Tylenda’s publ<strong>is</strong>hed books are: Portraits In American Sanctity (Chicago:Franc<strong>is</strong>can Herald ,1982); Jesuit Saints and Martyrs (Chicago: Loyola 1984, rev<strong>is</strong>ed ed.1998); The Imitation of Chr<strong>is</strong>t [a new translation with introduction] (Wilmington:Glazier, 1984; rev<strong>is</strong>ed edition in series "Vintage Spiritual classics" [New York:Vintage,1998]); The Pilgrim’s Journey: The Autobiography of St. Ignatius Loyola(Wilmington: Glazier, 1984; rev<strong>is</strong>ed edition [San Franc<strong>is</strong>co: Ignatius, 2001]); Counselsfor Jesuits: Selected Letters and Instructions of St. Ignatius Loyola (Chicago: Loyola,1985); Saints of the Liturgical Year: Brief Biographies (Washington, D.C.: GeorgetownUniversity, 1989); The Pilgrim’s Guide to Rome’s Principal Churches (Collegeville:Liturgical, 1993); Saints and Feasts of the Liturgical Year (Washington, D.C.:Georgetown University, 2003).

Product Fact SheetContact:Chr<strong>is</strong>tine Valentine-OwsikValentine CommunicationsFor: Ignatius Press215-230-8095valencom@aol.comTitle:The Imitation of Chr<strong>is</strong>t:Illustrated with Illuminated ManuscriptsAuthor:Thomas à Kemp<strong>is</strong>Category:Spirituality/GiftLength:96 pagesPubl<strong>is</strong>her:Ignatius PressRelease Date: February 2004Price: $ 19.95Hardcover, IllustratedISBN #: 1-58617-011-2Order:www.ignatius.com1-800-651-1531Description:For th<strong>is</strong> illustrated anthology, 40 memorable passages have been selected from Thomas àKemp<strong>is</strong>’ original version of The Imitation of Chr<strong>is</strong>t – the most widely read spiritual workof all time, apart from the Bible. Each of the book’s excerpts <strong>is</strong> accompanied by a lav<strong>is</strong>hfull-color medieval illustration from one of the Brit<strong>is</strong>h Library’s finest illuminatedmanuscripts. No other illustrated version ex<strong>is</strong>ts.The perfect gift for Lent, Easter or Confirmation, th<strong>is</strong> book showcases the soul-searchingwritings of Thomas à Kemp<strong>is</strong> more strongly than ever against the contrast of today’smaterial, irreligious world.###