Study of The Joy of the Gospel (Evangelii Gaudium)

Course Level: Intermediate

Course Summary

Pope Francis has a dream of a Church walking without hesitation on a path of pastoral and missionary conversion with a joyful attitude that is personal and communal.  This joy will transform habits,, language, and facilities, directing them towards evangelization rather than self-preservation. (EG#27, 192) This dream is the focus of his Apostolic Exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel, which is the fruit of the October 2012 Synod of Bishops on The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Faith.  Though spurred by the recommendations of the Synod Fathers, the Pope's intentions go beyond it. There is a sense of newness in The Joy of the Gospel that radiates from the document's originality, style, and character. Pope Francis writes, “I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them.” (EG#3) The Pope encourages the Christian faithful to embark upon a new chapter of evangelization marked by a joy ever new, a joy which is shared.


Successful completion of this course earns 2.5 CEU's.

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Course Structure and Highlights

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