Romano Guardini (1885-1968) was one of the greatest
Catholic minds of the twentieth century. He helped shape
Catholic theology between the two world wars and after, as
well as the thinking of many non-Catholics of the period.
His influence contributed to the reforms of the Second
Vatican Council and it continues to be felt through Pope
Benedict, who, as a theologian, a cardinal and now as Pope,
has drawn extensively on Guardini for inspiration. Indeed,
Guardini was a major theological mentor of Benedict XVI,
influencing the Pope from his understanding of Jesus to his
writings on the sacred Liturgy, from his view of faith to
his perspective on the modern world.
Romano
Guardini: Reform from the Source, written by another
great theological mind, Hans urs von Balthasar, presents a
kind of "roadmap" to Guardini's thought. As an introduction
to Guardini, von Balthasar's study is intended to challenge
readers to take up Guardini's own writings and to find in
him the wisdom that has inspired so many others. Many of
Guardini's influential works are still in print today,
works that cover a wide range of important spiritual,
theological and moral issues.