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The dignity of the person has always been a key theme of Pope John Paul II; perhaps less well known is his emphasis on self-mastery as intrinsic to such dignity. In this book, the author traces this daring portrait of human love back to the early writings of Karol Wojtyla.

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The dignity of the person has always been a key theme of Pope John Paul II. Perhaps less well known is his emphasis on self-mastery as intrinsic to such dignity. In the love of man and woman, such mastery paves the way to self-giving and provides a richer, deeper experience of the union of persons. It also gives a new sensitivity to the beauty of masculinity and femininity as sexuality is seen in its original holiness: that is, by sharing in the Creator´s vision of the body. In this book, the author traces this daring portrait of human love back to the early writings of Karol Wojtyla.

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CONTENTS: Love, Chastity and the Person - Love, Chastity and Self-Giving - Christ Appeals to the "Beginning" - Christ Appeals to the Human Heart - Ethos of the Redemption of the Body - The Body and Humanae vitae - Person, Christ, Communion - Trinitarian Communio: The Image of God - Wisdom, Love and the Person - Love and the Cardinal Virtues - Self-Mastery, Temperance, Chastity - The Economy of Truth and Love

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" In studying Fr O´Sullivan´s work, I learned and discovered much that was fresh and illuminating for me." (Michael Waldstein, Max Seckler Professor of Theology, Ave Maria University, Florida)

" Alan O´Sullivan attempts, as few have done, to see the affinities between Wojtyla´s work and the theology of St Thomas Aquinas. He provides new and helpful insights into how Aquinas´ doctrine of knowledge by connaturality can provide a framework for understanding John Paul´s teaching concerning chastity´s role in enabling couples to discover the spousal meaning of the body. " (Michael Sherwin OP, Professor of Moral Theology, University of Fribourg)

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Alan O´Sullivan is an Irish Dominican. He has studied at Blackfriars in Oxford, the Angelicum in Rome and Fribourg University in Switzerland, where he received his doctorate in 2012. He teaches moral theology at the Dominican Studium in Dublin. He is also Spiritual Director of the Community of Pure in Heart, Ireland, and Chaplain to Trinity College Dublin.

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