We have much to learn from him, and he is just waiting to speak to us lovingly with the communion of saints. Jason Evert's book is both a brilliant introduction to Pope Saint John Paul the Great (I will surely use his bibliography to build up my reading list with more of JPII's writings) and an intimate look at one of the greatest men, and most holy saints, of our modern times. Sometimes because I was struck by how a particular story was far too mysterious to be anything less than a miracle sometimes because another story made me realize how little I knew of this saint while he was on earth and finding myself sorry to have missed that opportunity to know him more as our pope and sometimes because I started to feel the joys and the sorrows of his life and ministry and was amazed to share such human traits with such a holy person. Through reading this book, I often found myself in tears.for many different reasons. The book is split into 2 parts: the first part is a short biography of the saint where we get to know him a little bit more by the various names he was known as in life, and the second part then dives deeper into the '5 loves' of JPII, exploring the greatest themes and devotions of his life and ministry. There is SO much we can learn from Saint (!) John Paul the Great, that I somewhat expected this book to be but a brief introduction to this great man. Not just every Catholic, not just every Catholic, every human. Illustrated.Everyone should read this book. Rekindle your own faith by learning what captivated the heart of this great saint. How he had conversations with the Virgin Mary.How one of Osama Bin Laden’s “best men” nearly murdered him in the Philippines.How a priest stabbed him in Fatima, yet he continued with the liturgy.How the communists actually selected him as archbishop.Woven throughout the book is an assortment of intriguing stories and facts that most Catholics don’t know about the saint, such as: By looking at what he loved and why, the goal is to help readers learn more about key aspects John Paul’s life and teachings, including Theology of the Body, Divine Mercy, Total Consecration, Eucharistic adoration, and redemptive suffering. This work is intended to be catechetical, inspiring, and evangelical. After a brief overview of John Paul’s life, Evert explores in depth his five great loves: Young People, Human Love, The Eucharist, Our Lady, The Cross.

Mining through a mountain of papal resources, Jason Evert has uncovered these many gems, offering a treasure chest brimming with the jewels of the saint’s life. John Paul II through remarkable unpublished stories on him from bishops, priests, students, Swiss Guards, and others.

John paul the great his five loves