Landmark Work an Essential Companion for Understanding the Life of our Lord

Fr. Giuseppe Ricciotti. Life of Christ. Manchester, NH: Sophia Institute Press, 2022. Paperback. $19.95. 448 pages. Available from the publisher.

This is the companion you need to deepen your knowledge about the New Testament and reignite your love for Jesus.

Drawing from his background in biblical languages, history, and archaeology, Fr. Giuseppe Riccioti first published Life of Christ in 1941 and it was regarded as a “masterpiece” throughout Europe. Since then, it has been translated and reprinted several times. The description for an earlier version related the fascinating story of its origin:

“Father Giuseppe Riccioti, chaplain of his regiment, lay in a World War I field hospital, hovering between life and death. If he lived, he promised, he would use his expertise in Biblical languages and history to write a life of Christ. Yet it would be decades before he kept that promise. Only after he had laid the groundwork with a succession of books on related subjects--and when he saw the thunderheads of another war gathering over humanity--did the time seem ripe.”

Father Riccioti establishes a chronology of the life of Jesus based upon Scripture and various disciplines. In an engaging and accessible style, he presents information about the setting in which Jesus was born, as well as notable figures, such as Herod, Pontius Pilate, and various Jewish groups in religious and secular society.

This work was written with "A dignity and a grandeur that leaves one breathless. Woven into the fabric of this story is an amazing amount of pertinent information. ... My conclusion from his book was that the only satisfying, realistic and sensible picture of Christ is that of the Catholic Church." (Books on Trial)

Readers will relish Fr. Riccioti’s reflection on “the paradox of Christ” and his wise approach in evaluating both the New Testament and secular sources of the time. Moreover, they will delight in Fr. Riccioti’s critique of modern “rationalist” biblical criticism. Also included in these pages are 82 photos, illustrations, and maps, as well as indexes of scriptural references, names, and subjects.

American Ecclesiastical Review enthused, "Recognized as a masterpiece in Europe. ... It serves, perhaps better than any other individual book in the English language, to give the proper background for profitable reading of Our Lord's life. ... The fortunate reader of this work will find an accurate and well expressed teaching about the earthly life of the Incarnate Word ... All of the pertinent sources have been adduced to help the Catholic understand what Our Lord said and did during the years He spent in the company of men in His mortal nature. This is a book which the priest should use and recommend."

Members of the media may send an email to Sophia Institute Press’ Director of Publicity, Sarah Lemieux at slemieux@SophiaInstitute.com to receive a physical or digital copy of Life of Christ, and/or to schedule an interview.