I first encountered the name and work of Ida Görres while working on my doctoral thesis, through a reference by Joseph Ratzinger in his fundamental theology. Ratzinger, who held her in high regard, cited her to support an idea, which awoke my curiosity about this woman esteemed by such a prominent theologian. My exploration of her writings deepened, thanks in large part to translations by Dr. Jennifer Bryson.
My favorite essay is “Trusting the Church” (in Bread Grows in Winter).
The book “The Church in the Flesh” was also a great read. I loved it.
I deeply enjoyed her essays on the Church, from the forthcoming collection.1 In the essays, one sees someone who lives out the reality of the Church in her body and soul. The joys, hopes, struggles of the Church were expressed in her writings.
In this forthcoming collection, I especially appreciated “Why do I remain in the Church?” (1971) and “The Dying of the Church in Souls” (1947).
I also like her essays in this collection on the priesthood. The essay, “On Pastoral Care” (1954), is a really good one. It clearly articulates the priest’s mission: as a servant of truth and “to bear witness to the truth”.
I know it is a cliché to say that a writer feels timeless, but Ida Görres truly does. She provides thoughtful, well-reflected insights into the challenges facing the Church, delivering truth in a clear, compelling voice that offers both guidance and orientation.
Görres is a voice that feels both old and new at the same time. Her work carries a refreshing quality. It has the freshness of Truth.
She also brings a distinctly feminine perspective, one that delights, inspires, and instructs in equal measure.
What makes her writing particularly relatable is its deeply personal nature. She does not shy away from sharing her struggles and vulnerabilities, allowing readers to connect with her on a human level.
Her literary style is equally engaging, whether through her essays or her use of epistolary form, with images that make the ideas clearer.
I would love to read Broken Lights: Diaries and Letters, 1951-1959, by Ida Görres. So far, I have read only a few excerpts of it. I hope to see it come back into print or a new edition of it someday.2
Yes!!! Her essays. I would recommend the essay “Trusting the Church” (in Bread Grows in Winter).
ABOUT FR. NTUBE:
Fr. Vitus Ntube is a Nigerian priest of Opus Dei, ordained in Rome in 2023. He holds a PhD in systematic theology from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. His doctoral research focused on the relationship between religion and truth in the theology of Joseph Ratzinger. He lives in Enugu State in Southeastern Nigeria. He serves as the chaplain of Hillrange Secondary School alongside his other pastoral responsibilities.
EDITOR’S NOTES:
This forthcoming collection of essays by Ida Görres on the Church is tentatively titled “To Strengthen the Church in Souls.” The editor and translator of the English edition is Jennifer Bryson. Fr. Ntube has written a preface for this volume. The target publication date for the German edition is 2027 and for the English edition 2028.
Unknown to Fr. Ntube, a surprise is in store for him: A friend of his arranged for a used copy of Broken Lights from 1964 to be hand-delivered to Nigeria. As of the publication of this post, the book has reached Lagos and is expected to reach Enugu State next month. Indeed, let’s hope Broken Lights can be brought back into print.
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