Hans Urs von Balthasar

Hans Urs von Balthasar has placed his vast knowledge at the service of an intellectus fidei, so that it might show to modern man the splendor of truth that emanates from Jesus Christ. . . . He has dedicated his whole life to theological research as a loving contemplation of God and a service to the Church.

From Address on the Occasion of the Conferral of the International Paul VI Prize to Hans Urs von Balthasar, June 23, 1984

I had the joy of knowing and associating with this renowned Swiss theologian. I am convinced that his theological reflections preserve their freshness and profound relevance undiminished to this day and that they incite many others to penetrate ever further into the depths of the mystery of the Faith, with such an authoritative guide leading them by the hand.

The work of Balthasar is without doubt one of the most impressive theological projects of the past hundred years. Anyone not interested in Balthasar is not interested in theology.

An outstanding example of Biblical theology that is both useful for the laity and faithful to the Church.

Speaking about You Have Words of Eternal Life

If prayed with and discussed openly among seminary formators, this book, Priestly Spirituality, carries the potential to reground all contemporary priestly formation in deep intimacy with the mysteries of Christ. Von Balthasar, in his usual radical way, starkly points the seminarian and priest toward Christ and His loving obedience to the Father, an intimacy that the priest must personally participate in if he is to shepherd people and lead them to life giving water.

Reading von Balthasar’s trilogy provides an extraordinary education in many of the pathways of Catholic theology, filled with important insights that cannot be found elsewhere.

Taken from The Achievement of Hans Urs von Balthasar