“What is up to us is to plead without ceasing for discernment and love, for justice and patience—and for unshakable love for the Church. Because only the lover discerns. And what people who do not love her, maybe secretly hate her, tell us about her need not frighten us.”

Born in 1901, Ida Friederike Görres was an historically significant figure in the early twentieth-century German Catholic Renewal movement. The eulogy at her funeral in 1971 was given by none other than a certain Fr. Joseph Ratzinger. Today, over fifty years after her death, there is renewed interest in her works.

A student of political science, history, church history, theology, and philosophy, Görres worked for the diocese of Dresden-Meissen as “Diocesan Secretary for Young Women’s Ministry”. After her marriage, Görres devoted herself increasingly to her work as a writer and theologian in service to the Church.

She published many lengthy works, as well as lectures and shorter writings on current issues in the Church. She lived through the Second Vatican Council, and though she welcomed the Council with joy, she tracked later developments within the Church with concern—as evidenced by this lecture given in 1970, only one year before her death.

Narrated by Karina Majewski.

Links

Learn more about Ida Friederike Görres: https://www.idagoerres.org/

Donate at: http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio

Theme music: 2 Part Invention, composed by Mark Christopher Brandt, performed by Thomas Mirus. ©️2019 Heart of the Lion Publishing Co./BMI. All rights reserved.

Tom Book: The Movie (with Tom Scharpling)