Discernment: Theology and Practice, Communal and Personal

by Ladislas Orsy SJ

Overview

Pope Francis has said, "Discernment is a choice of courage."

In this little wisdom book, Professor Ladislas Orsy shows contemporary readers a well-tested way to listen to the Holy Spirit within and among us as well as offering a way of navigating life's questions through communal discernment. Community discernment is the discovery of a gift by another gift: the discovery of God's plan for the community through the light of faith infused into the minds of its members.

While this text was originally written for Jesuits living in community to help them to live God's calling, the principles of Ignatian spirituality outlined here have broad application beyond such a setting today. As such it is:

• Rooted in history but not a history of discernment
• Theological but not a doctrinal treatise
• Practical but not a how-to manual
• Spiritual but does not belong to any specific school of thought.

Succinct and very readable, this book contains a collection of insights suitable for both individual and group discernment exercises.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814685310
Publisher:	Liturgical Press
Publication date:	08/15/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	88
File size:	817 KB

About the Author

Ladislas Orsy, SJ (1921-2025) was professor of law at Georgetown University, where he taught Roman Law, History of Philosophy of Law, and Canon Law. During the council he was professor of canon law at the Gregorian University in Rome, then taught theology at Fordham University and canon law at The Catholic University of America. He is the author of nine books and more than 200 articles including Receiving the Council: Theological and Canonical Insights and Debates, and Discernment: Theology and Practice, Communal and Personal, published by Liturgical Press.

 

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction: A Multitude of Theoretical Problems 1

First Question: What Are the Theological Foundations of Communal Discernment? 9

Second Question: What Are the Legitimate Expectations from Communal Discernment? 28

Third Question: What Is It That the Community Should Not Expect? 38

Fourth Question: What Is the Relationship between Authority and Discernment; What Is the Role of Discernment in a Community under Legitimate and Active Authority? 57

Fifth Question: What Practical Guidelines Follow from Our Theological Reflections? 66

In Place of Conclusion 73

Further Readings 75

Editorial Reviews

"This is a book of considerable theological depth and practical wisdom for any person, parish, or Christian institution involved in discerning how to take the next loving step in service of the whole body that is the church and the universal human community."
Horizons


"Orsy's experienced eye and wise judgement are evident on every page. The book is stronger on theology than practice, but the perspectives he brings to communal discernment constitute a precious contribution to the literature."
Theological Studies

From the Publisher