Karl A. Schultz

Welcome to my website. Thank you for visiting.

Permit me to give you a brief overview of the layout.

Page one, Biography, discusses my professional and pastoral mission, focus, and background. It offers a detailed introduction to my work, including notable collaborations and accomplishments.

Page two, Bibliography, presents my books, including summaries, reviews, endorsements, and links to more detailed descriptions.

Page three, Talks, DVDs, & CDs, outlines my speaking programs and supplemental audio-visual resources. Links to my books and helpful websites are provided on the margins. Information on how to order resources is also presented.

Karl A. Schultz is one of the world's most creative and respected writers and speakers on Catholic biblical spirituality, wellness and potential fulfillment, pastoral care, and men's and women's spirituality.

Karl has developed innovative therapies, resources, and programs on the intersection of Catholic and biblical teaching with personal and professional growth, including inner healing and reconciliation.

Karl has collaborated with bishops, theologians, and internationally respected secular scholars on human and spiritual development topics.

Karl's presentations interactively engage the participant and incorporate humor, reflection, dialogue, and practical applications.

Karl is known internationally for his work on men's spirituality and development, most recently The St. Joseph Christian formation program, and for his promotion of collaboration between men and women based on the 2004 Vatican document of that name.

Karl is the director of Genesis Personal Development Center in Pittsburgh. He is world renowned for his writings, presentations, and retreats on the application of lectio divina (the ancient practice of holistic reading and praying of the Bible) to such topics as:

• Family and parish group bible sharing (The “School of the Word”)

• suffering and care-giving; time and stress management and journaling

• Project Collaboration: gender communications and conflict resolution

• St. Joseph Christian formation: men's conferences, talks, and retreats

• theology of the body: John Paul II's teaching on sex, love, & marriage

• the teachings and legacy of Pope Paul VI and Vatican II



Schultz has presented programs in diocesan, Church, retreat, corporate, hospital, hospice, association, and convention environments internationally.

He has discussed his work on numerous television and radio programs, including the EWTN programs "EWTN Live!", "Life on the Rock", "Bookmark", "Living His Life Abundantly", and "Women of Grace."

Schultz is a biweekly guest and regularcontributor to Relevant Radio's (the national Catholic radio station) popular program, "Morning Air with Sean Herriott." His archived interviews can be accessed at relevantradio.com.

In 1990, Schultz developed a workshop and method of therapy entitled "Job Therapy" based on lectio divina that was approved by the Pa. Nurses Assoc. for R.N. continuing education units.

In 1995, Schultz dialogued with Dr. Warren Farrell in a five hour audiotape (now CD) program entitled "Men, Women, and Spirituality". He has collaborated on numerous books and DVD programs with bishops and international experts on biblical studies, spirituality, personal growth, and gender communications.

The synod on the New Evangelization will transpire this year. As part of the initiative, catechesis and formation are stressed, as a foundation for dialogue and outreach. You can't give what you don't have.

Cultural, technological, and economic developments have resulted in reading and continuing education being put on the backburner. People don't go to spiritual talks and retreats like they used to. Surviving retreat houses are in financial crisis, functioning primarily as hosting facilities. Parishes rarely sponsor weekday spiritual presentations because they know people won't attend. So-called "cocooning" has combined with web-surfing and other technological addictions to make us spiritually,intellectually and socially malnourished. The internet, tv, IPODs, and cell phones have eroded personal and relational space. Families struggle to share meals together, mostly because of overloaded work and activities schedules. Children are over-involved and over-exposed. Gone are the days when they learned how to get along without adult hyper-supervision. Biblical literacy and faith familiarity is declining despite abundant resources and initiatives.


Fortunately, we are not helpless. We can resist the tide, if we can't turn it. We can do something.

As Genesis Center's contribution, we are sponsoring a Lenten lectio library sale, a partial liquidation of our vast reserves. This was occasioned not only by evangelical and catechetical needs, but by the fact that you can't fit a university library into seven rooms. The path between them has become a literary mine field. Beloved titles must go! When Schultz' taciturn and encyclopedically well-read younger brother remarked that his literary holdings were superb, like a university's but without the call numbers, he realized it was time to share the wealth.

The Center's library has been assembled over a period of thirty-five years, literally all over the world, and features a multitude of out of print titles that are far superior to what is being published today. Anyone knowledgeable about today's publishing scene will tell you that platform, image, and connections are everything. Quality is truly a secondary consideration. Popularity certainly is not equatable with profundity.

While the holdings are primarily in the religious realm, and mostly, but not solely Catholic --- many Catholic and biblical titles publsihed in the last three decades are truly ecumenical. Jews, Orthodox, Anglicans, Episcopalians and Lutherans in particular would resonate with many of the titles. Christian unity has a long way to go, but it's in process. Jewish titles make up a sizable portion of the Library. After all, Catholicism's founder and his family friends and disciples were Jewish.

Catholicism is by definition universal, well-rounded, inclusive. Catholic universities address the humanities, science, and popular culture as well. Accordingly, the sale includes sports books, music books (mostly limited to the Beatles, Monkees, and British Invasion groups), a huge personal, professional, and organizational development section, wellness, history, biography, and a fantastic renaissance and baroque art collection. With snout pinched and through gritted teeth, we have stocked some impressionist books as well. Talent comes in all packages. As one docent put it, they don't have much meaning, but they're nice to look at. There is very very little fiction, and I am not making that up.

We are also liquidating our CD, LP, and VHS holdings. Most of the music titles are from the 1960s to 1980s. Most of the VHS are sports, documentaries, 1960s and 1970s televisioon series, and popular music. Many of the LPs are audiophile or import pressings, which results in noticeable sound improvements, and often different track selections and cover art. Highly collectable as well as listenable. Feel free to share this information with others.

Some literary and music titles purchased overseas and in obscure locations are not available anywhere on the internet. Schultz has an eye for good books and music and quality authors, so mediocre titles have long been filtered out. A few turkeys have probably escaped expungement, but they're seasoned by the filets. Or course, there is no accounting for tastes, so Schultz' preferences might not be yours. However, there are objective criteria to go by in order to ensure the overall high quality of the holdings.

Listing all the available titles is impossible. They are literally in the thousands, if not tens of thousands. So, we have set up a plan whereby interested persons can buy books in bulk based on their means and interests. Custom selected boxes are available in increments of $30, $50, $75, $100, $j150, $200, and in increments of $50 above that. Shipping and handling costs begin at $6, and increase in increments of $3 per $25 increment ($9 for $50, $12 for $75, $14 for $100), and $5 per $50 increment.

The average cost of the books included in the packages ranges between $2-$5, so these are a bargain. Most would be twice as much on online sites, if they would be available at all. Most are in good, very good, like new, or new condition. Few have underlining, fading, and binding defects that make reading difficult. The price range does not reflect the free book(s) , CD(s), and DVD(s) by Schultz included, thereby bringing the actual per unit cost even lower. This puts the lie to publisher remarks that Schultz' books sold so little that they couldn't be given away. We'll see.

Here's how it works. You automatically get one new Karl Schultz book of his choice (depending on inventory and availability), a DVD or CD, along with the books. If you don't want Schultz' book or CDs and DVDs you can request that alternative books be substituted. No offense will be taken, particularly because many of Schultz' books are in limited supply.

When ordering the books, please indicate preferred topics and authors. When possible, we will accommodate you. However, it is best to assume that we will be only able to accommodate you partially, if at all. Then you'll be surprised if we are able to come through. We'll do our best.

One of the pleasant by-products of preparing for this sale is that we have found titles that were missing, or we forgot we had.

We have few titles of many popular authors because we don't think their works are as good as other authors, both contemporary and in the past. However, it never hurts to submit requests and preferences, and in fact we prefer that. The more closely we can match your preferences, the happier you'll be, and the more likely you will be to recommend the Lectio Library sale to others.

Bishops Parish Pack

While on my three month lectio divina speaking tour of Australia and New Zealand (flying 17 times, and logging thousands of kilometers), I had the opportunity to videotape interviews with three bishops: Hanna of Wagga Wagga, Wilson of Adelaide, and Campbell of Dunedin. The first was 50 minutes, the second 45, and the third 90 minutes.

One of the amazing things about the experience was how different the interviews were. It brings how just how varied and flexible a process lectio divina is. Each bishop approached it differently. This reminds the viewer to trust the Spirit and be themselves in the dialogue. Lectio divina is not a rigid technique or a mechanical method, but a dynamic and personal process.

Along with the bishop interviews a local affiliate of Vatican television filmed me in the studio giving a 50 minute talk on both lectio divina and Pope Paul VI.

There video quality of the interview with Bishop Hanna and my talks on lectio and Paul VI is excellent. The interview with Bishop Wilson has a grainy picture due to lack of light. The audio is good, and it is very watchable, but I don't want folks to expect high definition. The interview with Bishop Campbell is somewhere in between, good but not great video quality. All are more than satisfactory for private, group, and parish viewing.

The Bishops Parish Pack contains all these on DVD, along with a sampling of other talks given in Australia, and a couple from the archives. Books provided include any two of the following: Journaling with Moses and Job, Personal Energy Management, and Becoming Community. The total cost is $225. If you would like a less extensive and expensive package, get in touch and we will work something out.

I identified this as a "parish pack" because it is a great tool for parish formation and continuing education. It is great for Bible studies, RCIA, young adult ministry, and high school CCD. Of course, it is equally appropriate for individual and family use. If interested, call or email for more details.


Martini Mix

A special concoction has been prepared for those seeking a slightly more advanced and in depth selection. I'll preface it with a basis for its conception.

Mediocrity has become a plague in American culture and church. People allow themselves to become swept up in mass society mentality and conformism, anesthetized by an unhealthy celebrity culture and an economy where the haves increasingly cast aside the have-nots. Talent, production, potential, and merit have been trumped by image, convenience, comfort, and connections. Consequently, a levelling effect occurs in which life is brought down to the lowest common denominator.

Even within the Church mediocrity and worse is rationalized and even excused. If necessary, biblical and traditional values are eclipsed out of a misguided attempt at accommodation. For example, haven't most of the biblical passages regarding gender been neutered and robbed of their vitality and potency. Don't we allow feminist-sympathetic scholars and teachers to relegate them to historical curiosities reflective of a repulsively patriarchal culture? As if our culture is superior!!!

Now that we can't turn to Scripture in matters of gender identification and formation, where do we turn? Popular culture? Catholic popularizers and ideologues, who often unconsciously bring in remnants of their former traditions and lifestyles?

Intellectual life has been mostly cast aside, or relegated to academics. The quest for principle and progress has been eclipsed by practicality and comfort. In the realm of spirituality, this consists of the rise of popularizers, in many cases an ideologically-based network of individuals with similar backgrounds, pedigrees, or perspectives who exclusively develop a largely closed network of self-proclaimed authorities on Catholic and biblical spirituality. As in the culture, popularity and image tends to obscure substance and reality.

One of the consequences in the American church has been the marginalization of two supreme resources, the works of Cardinal Martini and the publications of the Catholic Biblical Federation. Put simply, their resources on biblical spiritualty and lectio divina are unsurpassed in breadth and depth.

Through collaboration with the Catholic Biblical Federation (headquartered in Germany), I have acquired permission to share over twenty of their finest articles on lectio divina from their quarterly journal Dei Verbum. This international assortment includes several by Cardinal Martini, and papers by Cardinal Kasper and other noted scholars and leaders. This is a wonderful resource for serious-minded individuals, DREs, bible study leaders, and parishes.

The articles are accessible but not dumbed down, a refreshing change from what has become the norm at the grass roots level within the Church. The Martini mix includes the complete set, which ways more than a pound!

The Martini mix includes two copies of my book "Journaling with Moses and Job", which is based on Martini's classic out of print book "Through Moses to Jesus." It includes numerous extensive excerpts from it. Also included are several other Martini titles.

Why Martini?

He is the most prominent promoter of lectio divina in the post-Vatican II church. He has over 40 titles published on the subject, and they have been translated into various languages.

Outside of the pope, he has the most impressive resume in the Church:

1) A doctorate in theology from the Gregorian and in Biblical studies from the Pontifical Biblical Institute, where taught for ten years.

2) Former rector of the Gregorian and Pontifical Biblical Institute.

3) Former member of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, the pope's advisory board on biblical matters.

4) A world class text critic (expert in the biblical languages and manuscripts) and former member of the American Bible Society's committee for the establishment of the Greek New Testament.

5) Emeritus Cardinal of Milan, the world's largest Catholic diocese.

6) Former president of the European conference of bishops.

7) A contender at the 2005 papal conclave, despite advanced age and having Parkinson's disease.

What is most amazing about Martini is not his accomplishments, but his message and modality. He is able to integrate and communicate in an accessible manner his intellectual acumen and pastoral experience and understanding of the human sciences. It is rare for a renowned scholar to communicate accessibly, insightfully, and pastorally. Most simply can't come down to earth, or if they do, they overcompensate and teeter towards "dumbed-down's ville."

Of his many literary, formational, and evangelical merits, four stand out for me:

1) He humanizes the Bible and its character, circumstances, and challenges, thereby enabling me to personalize it and recognize its timeless and personal applications.

2) He demythologizes the Bible, that is, he makes it a living, breathing document founded in timeless and existential values. He helps you read between the lines and recognize the continuity between ancient and modern times, and the unchanging qualities of the human nature and condition. Within biblical studies the term demythologize has been associated with the great twentieth century German exegete Rudolf Bultmann, but that is not the sense in which I use the word.

3) By reading his books, through a process of what I call spiritual osmosis, I gradually assimilate his methods, which are often spelled out, and at other times implicit in his writings. Thus I learn how to interpret and apply the Bible personally, confidently, and competently, but without pride, rationalism, or intellectualism.

4) He integrates biblical studies and spirituality with Ignatian spirituality, the human sciences, and pastoral sensitivity in a way that bears directly on grass roots needs, without ever compromising orthodoxy or intellectual integrity.

Frankly, I don't think there are any resources in the Church, including mine, that hold a candle to the combination of Martini, the Catholic Biblical Federation, and Pope Benedict. The resources of the former two are disseminated extensively in many third world countries, and much of the western world, with the curious exception of North America. I have spoken directly with the executive director of the Catholic Biblical Federation about this, and they are trying to assume a higher profile in the United States. I have spoken and written frequently in the media about this.

Incidentally, the CBF (website c-b-f.org) was established in 1969 by Pope Paul VI to further biblical study, spirituality, and ministry at the pastoral level. Though supported by scholars, it is not oriented towards academia or highly technical issues. It is in over 80 countries and over 130 bishops' conferences are members. It is the official pastoral biblical ministry association in the universal Church.

Pope Benedict gave his seminal exhortation on lectio divina in a 2005 address to the Catholic Biblical Federation. He is increasingly promoting it, and his lucid addresses and writings are amenable to it. His message is a wonderful compliment to Cardinal Martini's. Reflecting their different backgrounds, they approach and communicate the Word differently, but with similar values and objectives.

So, if you want an unbeatable literary mix for combatting the mediocrity of modern life and mainstream politically correct spirituality, you can hardly do better than Martini, the CBF, and the pope. The Martini Mix is designed to bring these superior resources to you in an affordable and manageable package. Call for details.

Lectio Library Topical Selections

Sample topics include: biblical spirituality, commentaries, popular or academic, gender identity, vocation, and relationships, Christian stress and time management, wellness, sacraments, spiritual direction and discernnment, theology, morality, Christian history, papal books and biographies. If your desired topic is missing, let us know, because we may have it, but neglected to list it.

How to Order

Unfortunately, we are not set up to take Visa or Master Card. Heck, we don't even have a shopping cart on this website, because the site won't allow it. However, we are set up for paypal, so if you prefer that form of payment, we can email you a paypal invoice once we get your paypal account number, and you can authorize payment.

Or, you can send a personal check --- cashier's checks or money orders are also fine --- made out either to Genesis Personal Development Center or Karl A. Schultz, at the following address: 3431 Gass Avenue, Pittsburgh Pa, 15212-2239. You can email us with questions and order information at karlaschultz@juno.com. You can also call this number: (412) 766-7545.

We appreciate your taking the time to email, call, or mail a check. Everyone is busy and used to instant ordering and payment.





Bonus Surprises

In gratitude for your taking the time to communicate more personally with us, and perpetuate the dialogue, we will gladly include some extras in the package, which you can inquire about up front so that we can accommodate your tastes, when possible.

Because Schultz used to own a record business specializing in titles from the "good old days" --- 1960s - 1980s, with an accent on the Beatles, top forty, soft rock, 1960s soundtracks and instrumental music, we can include those CDs as bonuses as well. It's easier for us to share the wealth and reduce our clutter and inventory than hassle with credit cards and shopping carts. Thank you for your support and understanding.

And by the way, we are always open to suggestions about everything: books, the website, TV appearances, workshops, retreats, etc. We can't improve if you don't let us know what we need to change.Thanks in advance.

What's This Moose Kick, and How'd Schultz Get on it?

When you are 6"7, and have marks on your forehead from smashing into iron door fulcrums, and can't dance without drawing attention, you eventually figure that you might as well embrace the image. And how can you not love mooses, or meese, as they are otherwise known, except when they are chasing you or invading your yard.

Really, the mooschief is nothing more than pedagogical playfulness as an alternative to today's over-stimulated, pretentious world. Good, clean fun is missing from so much of our gender self-understanding and interactions. We need to lighten up things in order to relax. Like athletes seeking top performance, we can't function properly when we are uptight. The same goes for our relationships. If we are so wired that we are ready to explode at the slightest provocation, it is unlikely we will be able to work constructively with our counterpart. Well-meaning attempts at humor and playfulness go a long way to easing tensions and eliciting openness.

Also, I am working on a top secret moose project, which I will disclose shortly through an international announcement on the website. Check back frequently for updated moosages.

Mooses are cool-looking, almost prehistoric in appearance, so why not jump on the moosewagon and have a ball? You don't know what you're moosing! You haven't lived until you have been around the young at heart exchanging the moose horns / ears greetings and trying to emulate the moose mating call. With all the negative things written about and attributed to men nowadays, this is one thing that is definitely not emoosculating. If you remain moostified, don't worry, it's better than being a moosygnist.


Recent EWTN Televsion Appearances

Karl was recently on the EWTN program, Women of Grace, for two weekly segments. Most reently, from January 30-February 3, 2012, on the subject of prayer and the sexes. These episodes aired daily at 11:00 a.m. EST and 11:30 p.m. EST from Monday through Friday. Karl was interviewed on all five shows. Schultz previously appeared on the same program the week of January 2-6, 2012. You can review archived episodes by visiting the Women of Grace website, lhla.org.

If you have any questions or wish to offer feedback, suggestions, or your condolences, please email or call Karl @karlaschultz@juno.com or (412) 766-7545.


2011 Relevant Radio Interview Archives

Karl appears regularly on the morning air (with Sean Herriott) program on the national Catholic radio station, Relevant Radio. His work is discussed under frequent contributors on their website, relevantradio.com. His interviews can be accessed online at relevantradio.com, or by using the following links:

9/12 program on theology of the body. In hour one: http://relevantradio.streamguys.us/Asx%20Files/MA%20Archive/MA20110912a.asx

8/31 program on theology of the body. In hour one, second half: http://relevantradio.streamguys.us/Asx%20Files/MA%20Archive/MA20110831a.asx

8/22 program on theology of the body. In hour one: http://relevantradio.streamguys.us/Asx%20Files/MA%20Archive/MA20110822a.asx.

8/15 program on the Catholic Biblical Federation, the world's largest Catholic biblical association, established by Pope Paul VI in 1969 to implement the teachings of Vatican II's document on the Bible, "Dei Verbum", at the parish and grass roots level. Their focus is on biblical spirituality and ministry. In hour one: http://www.relevantradio.com/Page.aspx?pid=637&cid=17&ceid=6246&cerid=0&cdt=8%2f15%2f2011

8/4 program on coping with infertility, biological and metaphorical / functional (cf. Isa 66:9). In hour one: http://www.relevantradio.com/Page.aspx?pid=637&cid=17&ceid=6204&cerid=0&cdt=8%2f4%2f2011

7/27 program on loneliness, both in modern life and in the Scriptures. In hour one: http://www.relevantradio.com/Page.aspx?pid=637&cid=17&ceid=6168&cerid=0&cdt=7%2f27%2f2011

7/12 program on men, relationships, and the culture. In hour one: http://www.relevantradio.com/Page.aspx?pid=637&cid=17&ceid=6108&cerid=0&cdt=7%2f13%2f2011

6/27 program on the lectionary readings from the feast of the body and blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). In hour three: http://www.relevantradio.com/Page.aspx?pid=637&cid=17&ceid=6042&cerid=0&cdt=6%2f27%2f2011

6/17 program on fathers, in anticipation of father's day. In hour one: http://www.relevantradio.com/Page.aspx?pid=637&cid=17&ceid=6006&cerid=0&cdt=6%2f17%2f2011

6/8 program on Sports and Spirituality. Lots of good anecdotes and contemporary examples. In hour one:
http://www.relevantradio.com/Page.aspx?pid=637&cid=17&ceid=5964&cerid=0&cdt=6%2f8%2f2011

5/25 program on the Sabbath and leisure. In hour one:
http://www.relevantradio.com/Page.aspx?pid=637&cid=17&ceid=5910&cerid=0&cdt=5%2f25%2f2011

5/9 program on St. Joseph the Worker. Suspense filled and gripping. In hour one:
http://www.relevantradio.com/Page.aspx?pid=637&cid=17&ceid=5862&cerid=0&cdt=5%2f9%2f2011

4/21 program on the Triduum lectionary readings, in hour one:
http://www.relevantradio.com/Page.aspx?pid=637&cid=17&ceid=5786&cerid=0&cdt=4%2f21%2f2011

3/28 program on the Gender dimensions of the Gospels, in hour one:
http://www.relevantradio.com/Page.aspx?pid=637&cid=17&ceid=5661&cerid=0&cdt=3%2f28%2f2011

3/22 program on Matthew, part two, in hour one:
http://www.relevantradio.com/Page.aspx?pid=637&cid=17&ceid=5635&cerid=0&cdt=3%2f22%2f2011

3/11 program on the Gospel of Matthew. In hour one.
http://www.relevantradio.com/Page.aspx?pid=637&cid=17&ceid=5593&cerid=0&cdt=3%2f11%2f2011

2/17 program on using lectio divina on the lectionary. In hour one.
http://www.relevantradio.com/Page.aspx?pid=637&cid=17&ceid=5498&cerid=0&cdt=2%2f17%2f201117 on using lectio divina on the lectionary:

1/11 program on St. Joseph: Its in hour 1
http://www.relevantradio.com/Page.aspx?pid=637&cid=17&ceid=5369&cerid=0&cd t=1/11/2011


Recent articles

The following are links to recent articles on or by Schultz. Unbelievably, the guy is as good a writer as he is a speaker. And he's funny too, just ask him. The articles discuss Schultz' August-November 2009 Australia and New Zealand lectio divina speaking tour, Pope Paul VI, and St. Joseph the Worker. How is that for a combination? Here are the heretofore missing links:

http://www.pittsburghcatholic.org/newsarticles_more.php?id=2142

http://www.pittsburghcatholic.org/newsarticles_more.php?id=2965

http://www.pittsburghcatholic.org/newsarticles_more.php?id=3054


Blogged Down

In conjunction with Pope Benedict XVI's apostolic exhortation on the Bible, Schultz has developed a blog to provide ongoing education, formation, commentary, humor, and enjoyable reading on the following subjects:

the biblical renewal in the Church,

dialogue (the fundamental theme of Vatican II and Paul VI's papacy),

sexuality, gender relations, and theology of the body (based on John Paul II's fundamental theme, the dignity of the person),

lectio divina (holistic, prayerful reading of God's word).

The link is karlaschultz.wordpress.com. Feel free to check it out and share feedback and your perspective through the comments feature.

The blog features not only my own writings but those of prominent peers in the area of spirituality, biblical studies, and male-female relationships. I frequently include contributions from other experts in my books because I want my audience to experience a variety of perspectives --- plus, it provides a refreshing break from me! Drawing upon the finest spiritual and personal growth literature published in the post-Vatican II era, it will also contain suggestions for further readings.

The blog will evolve in response to reader feedback and suggestions.

In 2009, Schultz conducted a three month lectio divina lecture tour of Australia and New Zealand. The primary topics were lectio divina, Pope Paul VI and Vatican II, suffering, time and stress management, and men's and priests' retreats. He gave over 100 presentations in five diocese: Wagga Wagga, Ballarat, and Adelaide in Australia, and Christchurch and Dunedin in New Zealand.

Highlights of Schultz' tour include swimming accross the Murray river twice, scaling Mount Cargill in Dunedin, getting lost at Mt. Echo immediately before a talk, swimming in frigid, artic-fed waters in Christchurch, Warmnabool, Dunedin, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Queenstown --- to the astonishment of both the bishop and wet-suit clad surfers, and being shown on New Zealand television while swimming during a tsunami warning.

During his tour Schultz videotaped numerous workshops, including priests' retreats and interviews with the bishops of Wagga Wagga, Dunedin, and Adelaide on the subject of lectio divina. These and other CDs and DVDs of various talks, interviews, and retreats are available from Genesis Personal Development Center (see final page of website for ordering information)as part of the Lectio Library and Parish Packs discussed below. Schultz is very conscious of working with the Church hierarchy and utilizing its diverse resources in conjunction with compatible secular resources in order to provide his audience with a balanced, orthodox, and cutting edge perspective. The mediocre ethic of mass society is incompatible with the the Gospel.

Reviews:

“Karl Schultz’s work highlights a valuable tradition in the Church, lectio divina, which is the call to all of us to deeper reflection on the words of Sacred Scripture and, ultimately, greater holiness of life. In this “School of the Word,” the author provides a scriptural call to discernment, decision, and action. All who enter into this practice will find a real spiritual treasure.”
—Bishop David A. Zubik, Diocese of Pittsburgh

“Lectio divina, recently promoted by Pope Benedict, is at the center of this author’s life. He practices it and has promoted it by his writings and conferences for over twenty-five years. His latest book shows, what nobody else has done, how lectio divina is helpful for the delicate, at times volatile, gender relationships by using the model of the Holy Family. Mary and Joseph lived with the Incarnate Word of God; they can, therefore, help today’s women and men to relate to the Word of God. Mary and Joseph exemplify gender mutuality and spiritual integration, each of them in a different way. Mary reveals the dignity and possibilities of femininity by receiving the Word, while Joseph teaches us about masculinity by responding to the Word.”
—Walter Vogels, M.Afr., Professor emeritus
Bible Faculty of Theology, Saint Paul University, Ottawa

“Karl Schultz continues to be a premier exponent of the joy and spiritual growth that comes from sacred reading, lectio divina. Fresh from his three-month tour in Australia and New Zealand where he lectured successfully on lectio, Karl Schultz has a slam-dunk in this excellent St. Joseph Guide to Lectio Divina. What makes his contribution so unique is its invitation to join our Blessed Lady and St. Joseph, the Holy Family, using lectio, to grow in age, grace, and wisdom before the Lord and others. We can see why Pope Benedict XVI, generously quoted by Schultz, has put such an emphasis on lectio as a spiritual instrument for our times.”
—Fr. Timothy Fitzgerald, C.P., STD
St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center, Pittsburgh, PA

“In his latest book, Karl Schultz offers not only a personal and creative exploration of lectio divina but pays welcome tribute to Cardinal Carlo Martini, S.J., a pioneer in the revival of lectio divina in our time.” —George Martin, Founding editor, God’s Word Today

“Karl A. Schultz offers wonderful insights on the ways that Mary and Joseph can be mentors for lectio divina. Their receptivity to God’s word, their marital relationship, and their balance of the contemplative and active dimensions help us understand the holistic and creative elements within the ancient art of lectio divina.”
—Stephen J. Binz
Author of Conversing with God in Scripture:

“People want to find a way to pray—and many are tired of following the latest trends. Karl Schultz presents the method of the saints in a way that’s fresh and even startling. Where better to learn the ways of prayer than in the company of the Holy Family? Put this book to work. It’ll transform your life.”
—Mike Aquilina, Executive Vice President
St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology

"The St. Joseph Guide to the Bible" is composed of four chapters:
1) How to choose a Bible and translation.
2) The proper order in which to read the Bible.
3) How to read the Bible prayerfully and holistically using the ancient Christian model of spiritual reading known as lectio divina.
4) How to interpret the Bible competently and confidently. It introduces the reader to principles culled from the voluminous writings of the most prominent contemporary Catholic biblical scholar and church leader, Carlo Maria Martini, S.J., retired archbishop of Milan. In May, 2010, it will be accompanied by "The St. Joseph Guide to Lectio Divina: Praying the Word with the Holy Family." It shows how Mary and Joseph model lectio divina and femininity and masculinity, and explores the different ways men and women practice lectio.