by Rev. John A. Hardon, S.J.
Father Hardon's catechism provides an easy-to-use question and answer compendium to John Paul II's historic encyclical, The Gospel of Life.
This encyclical was years in the making. In many ways it is considered the capstone of the first sixteen years of his pontificate. It was issued on the Feast of the Annunciation 1995, since it was Christ's conception in His Mother's womb that began what we now call the gospel of life.
Not intended as a substitute for the encyclical, Father Hardon's purpose is to lead the reader to want to read and master the contents of the Holy Father's encyclical itself. To that end, each answer is followed by the number of the corresponding section in the source document. The extensive cross-indexing makes this booklet an invaluable study supplement.
Full text of the encyclical The Gospel of Life in magazine format included (while supplies last).