“Petroc Willey is the consummate authority on evangelization and catechesis. In his new book, Light from Alexandria: Recovering a Vision of Christian Paideia for Education and Formation, he creatively tells the splendid, graced-filled story of how ancient Alexandria, through its catechetical school, became the premier city for evangelization and catechesis. In so doing, Petroc himself becomes an Alexandrian, a new Clement and Origen. In our present culture—not unlike a global Alexandria, where various religions, philosophies, and polities vie with one another—Petroc fearlessly and unapologetically professes the faith that Jesus alone is the universal Savior and definitive Lord.”—THOMAS G. WEINANDY, OFM, Cap., former member of the Vatican’s International Theological Commission
“An erudite and engaging study of the Christian School of Alexandria in the early Christian centuries, which does justice both to the city and culture of Alexandria and to the use Christian apologists, especially Clement and Origen, made of earlier philosophical traditions in service of the Incarnate Logos, Jesus. Petroc Willey presents the Christian Alexandrian synthesis as a model and resource for present-day Catholic teaching, but non-Christians will also profit from learning how important it is to read sacred scriptures with an eye to their allegorical and typological meaning.”—STEPHEN R. L. CLARK, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, University of Liverpool; Honorary Research Fellow, Dept. of Theology, University of Bristol
“Jesus attributed a certain wisdom to the scribes of the kingdom who know how to bring out what is old and what is new. In this wonderfully written, thoroughly researched, and deeply illuminating book on the catechetical school of Alexandria, Petroc Willey has made the old new and the ancient relevant to us today. There is something here for everyone—those interested in history, education, culture, inculturation, and, of course, theology and catechetics. The fruit of this work is a profound sense of how a Christian culture was built and transmitted in Alexandria, and how we might do so again.”—STEPHEN M. HILDEBRAND, Professor of Theology, VPAA, Franciscan University of Steubenville
“In Light from Alexandria, Petroc Willey paints a compelling and vivid portrait of the ancient catechetical school in Alexandria, uniting history, philosophy, and theology, not in a wistful looking back but to set the context for understanding how this venture shines with relevance for us today. Throughout the work he emphasizes the need for a holistic catechumenal approach and sacramental mindset, encouraging us to look again at how the catechetical wisdom found in Alexandria can assist catechists, families, and those in educational institutions to consider an evangelizing catechesis that can offer to others a whole way of life. The light from Alexandria shines brightly.”—ANNE JAMIESON, Executive Director, Institute for Catholic Education, Ontario, Canada
“Light from Alexandria is a masterful study on the convergence of biblical, liturgical, patristic, catechetical, philosophical, and cultural influences that produced the once great and flourishing Catechetical School of Alexandria. But far more than just providing an engaging historical overview of the sources of the classical Christian paideia, the author—himself a renowned paedagogus of pedagogues in our own day—points the way forward for an authentic kerygmatic renewal of catechesis and evangelization inspired by some of the greatest oriental lights of the See of the Gospel Evangelist, St. Mark.”—FR. DANIEL G. DOZIER, Executive Chairman, God With Us Eastern Catholic Formation, USCCB Region XV
“In his work Light from Alexandria, Petroc Willey spotlights the ancient catechetical school of Alexandria, so that we may see the true nature of catechetical education. More than a nostalgic look into the past, Willey’s rigorous research identifies the key principles of evangelization and catechesis necessary for an authentic catechetical ressourcement. It is not an over-exaggeration to foresee Willey’s work standing among other great texts, such as Newman’s Idea of a University. Indeed, this work will be footnoted by every serious effort to re-envision catechesis in both parishes and Catholic schools in years to come.”—SISTER MARY MICHAEL FOX, OP, Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia (Nashville); author of Following God’s Pedagogy: Principles for Children’s Catechesis
PETROC WILLEY was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI a Consultor for the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, and is currently a Consultor to the Dicastery for Evangelization in the Section for Fundamental Questions regarding Evangelization in the World. A Professor of Theology and Catechetics at Franciscan University, Steubenville, in Ohio, he has authored numerous books and scholarly articles on the catechetical ressourcement, including The Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Craft of Catechesis. He studied theology and philosophy in London, Liverpool, Maynooth, and Rome, and before his move to the United States in 2015 taught in England, in Catholic institutions in Oxford and Birmingham. He is married to Katherine and has four children and a growing number of grandchildren.
