Karl A. Schultz

Biography

Karl A. Schultz is the author of thirteen books and numerous pamphlets and articles. He offers presentations, workshops, speeches, and retreats on Pope Paul VI, suffering, care-giving, potential fulfillment, time and stress management, theology of the body, men's and relationship issues, biblical spirituality, and pre-eminently lectio divina, the ancient Christian model of prayerfully and holistically reading the Bible.

He has spoken all over the world, and has appeared on numerous national radio and television programs, including the EWTN programs EWTN Live!, Living His Life Abundantly, and Bookmark.

Schultz has developed applications of lectio divina to:

suffering, care-giving, inner healing, time management, stress management, gender dialogue and relations, conflict resolution, theology of the body, infertility, journaling, potential fulfillment, the book of Job, and the teachings of Popes Paul VI and John Paul II.

Mooschievous, moosterious, and moosguided at times, Karl incorporates humor and levity in his books, talks, DVDs, and CDs, and media interviews and appearances. Even Catholics need to chill out and cut loose at times. The intensity and gravity of the subjects that he tackles (and vice-versa) require a playful dose of jocularity.


The School of the Word Program

Parishes and diocese may be interested in Schultz' "School of the Word" program of adult catechesis and formation. It is based on Cardinal Carlo Martini, S.J.'s model for communal lectio divina, and is in response to Pope Benedict's exhortations for lectio divina programming that uses "new methods, carefully thought through, and in step with the times."


School of the Word Settings and Audiences

RCIA, CCD, adult education, young adult, parish prayer and Bible sharing groups, associations, married couples, deacons, priests, and religious communities.


The three primary foci of the workshops are the inter-related topics of:

lectio divina;

the magisterium of Pope Paul VI in relation to Vatican II and contemporary issues;

collaboration between the sexes, beginning in marriage, developing in family, parish, and social life, and extending to the public forum.

The dynamic themes of dialogue and reconciliation link, underlie, and catalyze these three crucial topics. Whether engaged independently (stand alone) or together, the topics yield synergies and practical applications that maintain orthodoxy and pastoral care in a healthy tension. Most of the lectio divina applications referenced above are represented in the presentation topics listed on page three of this website.


A Cutting Edge, Collaborative Ministry

One of the unique features of Schultz' work is his collaboration with acclaimed peer authorities in his and related fields in order to provide his audience with exposure to cutting edge, orthodox material. It's like having internationally renowned speakers visit your parish.

The print and audio-visual materials that accompany the School of the Word program and comprise the Lectio Library and Parish Pack showcase some of the most respected voices in magisterial, pastoral, and academic circles.

Schultz recently finished a four hour video series on the Eucharist, Confession, and Spiritual Direction and Discernment with Fr. Tim Fitzgerald, CP, S.T.D., a widely respected spiritual director and retreat master. It is accompanied by an outstanding study guide developed by Fr. Fitzgerald and program participants. This is excellent for RCIA, CCD, and adult education classes, as well as for personal, communal, and familial use.

Also available are two programs on dialogue between the sexes. One on DVD features Dr. Cornelius F. Murphy, Jr., author of multiple books including "Beyond Feminism: Towards a Dialogue on Differences", published by Catholic University of America Press, the other best-selling author Dr. Warren Farrell (warrenfarrell.com)in a 5 1/​2 hour CD program entitled "Men, Women, and Spirituality."

He has also worked on a manuscript on men and relationships with Farrell and Dr. Cornelius F. Murphy, Jr. Dr. Paul Nathanson, co-author with Dr. Katherine Young of a trilogy on misandry (hatred of men) in North American culture, has been gracious enough to share material from his books in an effort to provide a stronger statistical and sociological foundation for my work. Professors at McGill University in Montreal, their work was undertaken with funding from the Canadian government. Would that the U.S. government became serious and impartial enough about men's issues to support similar research and subsequent socio-economic and legal initiatives.

In numerous ways Schultz has received the gracious support and encouragement of The Catholic Biblical Federation in Stuttgart, Germany, the official and largest biblical association of the Church, established by Pope Paul VI in 1969 to fulfill the mandate of Vatican II's document on Scripture. It is found in over 80 countries and over 130 Bishops conferences are members. In periodic contact with the pope, they helped initiate and prepare for the 2008 Synod on the Bible.

They have been kind enough to provide Schultz with over twenty-five articles and papers on lectio divina by the world's foremost topical authorities and Church leaders, including Cardinals Martini and Kasper and various bishops, scholars, and pastoral leaders.

In person, in print, and in terms of audio-visual material, Schultz offers a broad array of the best and most authoritative and pastoral resources within the Church.




Prominent Promoters of Lectio Divina and Biblical Spirituality

I named the program "School of the Word" in honor of Cardinal Martini's worldwide mission to promote prayerful Bible reading (lectio divina) and consonant living at all levels of the Church. I believe American Catholics need more exposure to the writings of pastorally sensitive leaders and scholars like Cardinals Martini and Kasper, Fathers Dysinger and Fitzgerald, Bishops Trautman and Sklba, and the members of the Catholic Biblical Federation.


Pope Paul VI

Pope Paul VI has been under the radar almost since the moment of his succession by John Paul I. As his successors have frequently asserted, it is time to change that and recognize the astonishing and increasing contemporary relevance of this modern prophet. Pope Benedict referenced Paul VI's teachings more in his recent encyclical, "Charity in Truth", than any modern pope has referenced another pope's teachings. He has consistently and enthusiastically advocated greater attentiveness to Paul VI's teachings, papacy, and personal example, calling his implementation of the reforms of Vatican II "almost super human."

As its spiritual and administrative architect, Paul VI is the lynchpin to an informed and dynamic understanding and implementation of Vatican II. Through his dialogical disposition in which he both imparts and receives influence, he sheds light on the teachings of all of the popes present at Vatican II and who have helped form the modern Church.

Perhaps the most stylish and accessible writer among the recent popes, his teachings, gestures, initiatives, and example merit reflection, study, and dialogue according to the model of lectio divina. Paul VI's teachings, example, and legacy are imbued with the dialogical disposition essential to both lectio divina and improved relations between men and women. We ignore him at our spiritual peril.

Paul VI's recently deceased personal secretary, Pasquale Macchi, was supportive of my publishing efforts with regards to Paul VI, offering both suggestions and copies of his own works. The Paul VI Institute in Brescia, Italy was likewise exceedingly generous during my visit, providing me with voluminous, hard-to-find materials, including a complete copy of Paul VI's testament in both his original handwriting and in translation.

During my time in Australia I interviewed on tape numerous priests, bishops, and archbishops who had personal contact with and fond remembrances of Paul VI. I wish to place all of the above resources at the disposal of the faithful, and contribute to the gradual re-awakening of the Church to the greatness of this modern spiritual master and prophet who as Bishop Sheen observed was a martyr for the Church. Paul VI had more influence over the Catholic Church than anyone else in the twentieth century. It is time we gave him his due and accepted his invitation to dialogue.


The Lectio Library and Parish Pack

The Lectio Library contains books, CDs, and videos developed in collaboration with Church leaders and recognized topical authorities. The Parish Pack is a condensed compendium suitable for parish adult education, RCIA, Sunday school, and Catholic school curriculum. The richness of Catholicism is impoverished by mediocre catechesis and pastoral care; The Lectio Library and Parish Pack are designed to expose the faithful to the best in Catholic resources, particularly in circumstances in which they would otherwise not have access to such.

A detailed description of the School of the Word program and the Lectio Library and Parish Pack, as well as a press release summary of his recent trip, can be emailed on request.


Meditating on The Milan Masters

As discussed above, one of the most unique aspects of Schultz' work has been his highlighting and dissemination of the profound, and in some respects peerless, teaching and ministry of two former archbishops of Milan, Montini (Paul VI)and Martini. Schultz' book "Journaling with Moses and Job" contains extensive excerpts from Martini's classic "Through Moses to Jesus", and several other books highlight Martini's work either in the body of the book (e.g., chapter four of "The St. Joseph Guide to the Bible") or in the appendix (e.g., "Where is God When You Need Him?" and "The St. Joseph Guide to Lectio Divina").

Schultz has visited and done research at the Paul VI Institute in Brescia, Italy, corresponded with Paul VI's personal secretary, and dialogued with Church leaders and scholars on Paul VI on several continents. His 2007 book on Pope Paul VI was the first major work published in English in America on Paul VI since 1993.


Job Therapy: Health-Care and Pastoral Care Applications

Schultz has pioneered the use of lectio divina in the health-care field as well. In 1990, he developed a workshop and method of therapy entitled "Job therapy" (referring to the book of Job and job/​vocation stressors) based on lectio divina that was approved by the Pennsylvania Nurses Association for R.N. continuing education units.


Recent Titles

In August, 2010, Karl's newest book, "The St. Joseph Guide to Lectio: Praying the Word with the Holy Family" will be published by the Catholic Book Publishing Corporation. It will highlight the different ways men and women practice lectio divina, and focus on Mary and Joseph as models of responsiveness to God's word and practitioners of lectio divina. They prayed with the Word (Jesus) in an unique way. See reviews above.

In September, 2008, Karl's eleventh book, "The St. Joseph Guide to the Bible: Becoming Comfortable with the Bible in Four Simple Steps" was published by the Catholic Book Publishing Corporation. It complements the St. Joseph Edition of the Bible and the St. Joseph Sunday and Daily Missals, also by the same publisher.

At 144 pages and $7.95, it is quite the bargain. It offers a manageable way to become familiar and comfortable with the Bible in a quick and effective manner. It was originally entitled "Your Quick-Start Guide to the Bible", but the link to the St. Joseph Bible and Missals merited top billing.

Karl published four books in 2007:

"How to Pray with the Bible: The Ancent Prayer Form of Lectio Divina Made Simple" (Our Sunday Visitor)

"Pope Paul VI: Christian Virtues and Values" (The Crossroad Publishing Company)

"Bearing the Unbearable: Coping with Infertility and Other Profound Suffering" (Nimble Books)

"Becoming Community: Biblical Meditations and Applications in Modern Life" (New City Press)

Each of these books stands out for different reasons:

"How to Pray with the Bible" is the fruit of fifteen years of writing and teaching about lectio divina. Its table of contents has been praised as the best of any book on the subject.

"Pope Paul VI" has been endorsed by the world's leading Catholic biblical association, the Catholic Biblical Federation. It is the only thematic collection of Paul's teachings to be accompanied by an extensive account of his life and legacy and its suitability for lectio divina and interpersonal dialogue.

"Bearing the Unbearable" has superb cover and chapter artwork by renowned stained glass artist Nicholas Parrendo, and contains copious reflection questions and applications designed to help readers draw personal parallels with the lives of biblical characters.

"Becoming Community" is the only book on the subject to utilize the process of lectio divina while integrating the fruits of biblical exegesis and spirituality with the human sciences.

In 2004, Our Sunday Visitor published "The How-To Book of the Bible" At a price of $13.95, this 352 page guide is a versatile resource for personal and group bible study and spirituality. It makes an excellent companion to "How to Pray with the Bible" and "The St. Joseph Guides."

Schultz has written articles on lectio divina in newspapers and journals throughout the country. His most recent appeared in the July, 2007 issue of "The Bible Today."

The appendices of Schultz's books feature articles by other renowned authorities on lectio divina, including Cardinal Carlo M. Martini, S.J., Fr. Luke Dysinger, OSB, and Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB.

Schultz has discussed the Bible and lectio divina on several EWTN (the international Catholic television network) programs, including EWTN Live!, Bookmark, Living His Life Abundantly, and Life on the Rock. He is also a frequent guest on Relevant Radio.


Bridging the Gender Gap

The gender divide, like a splintered Christianity, is a scandal that must be gradually breached. Schultz has dared to take on the ideological and social demons of radical feminism and macho-ism. He deplores and excoriates the idolatry of sports, public funding of professional sports facilities, and the violence and lewdness of the entertainment media that has contaminated American culture.

Using both traditional and contemporary sources, he has written and spoken widely on the importance of moving beyond polemics and facilitating gender cooperation and reconciliation.

Schultz is very involved in academic, civic, and pastoral dimensions of men's issues, with a particular focus on the ramifications and remedies of the marginalization of men in the Church, family, and society. He has given men's retreats internationally. He is working on a book on biblical and contemporary insights into gender relationships that incorporates Paul VI's and John Paul II's teaching on the subject, often referred to as "Theology of the Body".


Contact and Order Information

Copies of Schultz' books, CDs, and DVDs are available from Genesis Personal Development Center. For details on Schultz's presentations, speeches, workshops, and retreats, call (412) 766-7545 or email karlaschultz@​juno.com or mrkarleno@​gmail.com. See the last page of this website for details.