Essential Writings

Review: Kurt Vonnegut once wrote, “For me, Father Daniel Berrigan is Jesus as a poet.” In this new anthology John Dear has culled selections from his fellow Jesuit’s poems, journals, essays, and homilies. For Berrigan all spiritual writing is political—for it resists the culture of war and injustice by its very nature—and all political writing for peace and justice is quintessentially spiritual—for it points to the reign of God.

Throughout his writings—and a lifetime of committed action—Berrigan invites us to abandon war for a new life of peace. I echo Dear’s invitation to read Dan’s words in a prayerful, reflective manner, take his message to heart, and deepen our own journey toward the God of peace and a new world of peace. —Father John Molyneux, C.M.F., Editor,  U.S. CATHOLIC

Orbis Books says: Draws on 50 years of books, poems, and homilies to chronicle Father Berrigan’s life and work from the early days of his vocation through his ongoing witness for peace.

Paperback: $20.00

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August 2010:

Soul Fire: Accessing Your Creativity

Review: Books to foster, uncover, augment, or otherwise call forth one’s dormant creativity abound, but few are as inviting and lighthearted as Paulist Father Thomas Ryan’s Soul Fire. Directed to his fellow “mid-lifers,” Ryan’s book begins with his own rediscovery of his love of poetry, a gift he generously shares throughout the book. This and other stories of creativity among those in mid-life above all serve as assurances to the timid that there is little to fear and much to gain from taking a chance on creativity.

Ryan knows many of his readers may have set aside play long ago in favor of work and productivity, and so each chapter ends with questions for personal reflection and activities to access what may be dormant or even hidden. Readers will additionally appreciate Ryan’s no-pressure encouragement to let your inner artist out. —Bryan Cones, Managing Editor,  U.S. CATHOLIC

Skylight Paths says: Explores the nature of creativity and shows how to cultivate a creative spirit as a way to encourage personal growth, enrich spiritual life and deepen a communion with God.

Paperback: $16.99

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Patience with God: The Story of Zacchaeus Continuing In Us

Review: Patience with God is for both people with doubts and those who want to understand them. The premise is that many today approach faith like Zacchaeus, the tax collector who climbed a tree to see Jesus: cautious but curious. As Jesus did, we are called to reach out those on the sidelines of faith—but not to demand orthodoxy from them. Patience is required from both seekers and believers.

As a priest who served the underground church in communist Czechoslovakia, Tomáš Halík brings an interesting perspective to the discussion of God, atheism, church, and current events. Though not a quick read, the book is thoughtful and worth a close—and patient—read. —Megan Sweas, Associate Editor,  U.S. CATHOLIC

Doubleday Religion says: The debate between believers and atheists about the existence of God often boils down to one thing—patience with God. Using the gospel story of Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus and describing patience as a combination of faith, hope, and love, Tomáš Halík uncovers the treasures found in waiting on God; especially in times of doubt, burden, and unbelief.

Hardcover: $23.95

Available at book stores or from Doubleday Religion: (800) 733-3000 or shop online: Doubledayreligion.com.

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Habits of Priestly Heart

Review: Any thinking Catholic should eat up this book. If tempted to pigeonhole it for priests only, think again. Hemrick’s wise, grounded suggestions for a healthier and holier life include universal challenges such as how to let go of resentment. He brushes aside the “we’re as busy as we can be” excuse (certainly not limited to priests) with straight talk on how investing in the life of the mind, regular contemplation, and a healthy lifestyle will improve your work as well as your faith.

Hemrick’s unwaveringly honest look at the relationship between lay and ordained in today’s church is refreshing.—Cathy O'Connell-Cahill, Senior Editor,  U.S. CATHOLIC

World Library Publications says: A must-read for all parishioners. Experienced priest Father Eugene Hemrick has designed this book to help today’s church better understand, accept, and live with the new and sometimes overwhelming challenges today’s priests encounter.

Hardcover: $24.95

Available at book stores or from World Library Publications: (800) 566-6150 or shop online www.wlpmusic.com.

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Made for Goodness: And Why This Makes All the Difference

Review: When South Africa’s Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu talks about goodness, we’d better listen. Tutu chaired the country’s post-apartheid Truth and Reconciliation Commission, listening as murderers begged forgiveness from the mothers of their victims. If, after all that he has witnessed, he still believes that we are “made for goodness,” there must be something to it.

This remarkably down-to-earth and practical book, filled with stories, glows with deceptively simple wisdom. Blending utter confidence in God with a disarming personal humility and self-deprecating humor, Tutu and his daughter Mpho take on the big questions: Where is God when we suffer? How do I hear God’s voice? They make reliable guides to the difficult terrain of the human condition.—Catherine O’Connell-Cahill, Senior Editor,  U.S. CATHOLIC

HarperOne says: When South Africa’s Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu talks about goodness, we’d better listen. Tutu chaired the country’s post-apartheid Truth and Reconciliation Commission, listening as murderers begged forgiveness from the mothers of their victims. If, after all that he has witnessed, he still believes that we are “made for goodness,” there must be something to it.

This remarkably down to earth and practical book, filled with stories, glows with deceptively simple wisdom. Blending utter confidence in God with a disarming personal humility and self-deprecating humor, Tutu and his daughter Mpho take on the big questions: Where is God when we suffer? How do I hear God’s voice? They make reliable guides to the difficult terrain of the human condition.

Hardcover: $25.99

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Loving Creation: Christian Spirituality, Earth-Centered and Just

Review: Drawing on her varied experience as a spiritual director, counselor, theologian, teacher, and environmental activist, Kathleen Fischer invites Christians to discover the invaluable guidance and resources our rich spiritual tradition offers for today’s urgently needed ecological conversion.

Loving Creation combines the wisdom of biblical texts, saints, sacraments, and spiritual classics with the insights of contemporary scientists, theologians, poets, activists, and spiritual guides, as well as stories and practical suggestions for more earth-centered living. Fischer concludes her book with a prayer and plea that we discern God’s face in all of God’s creation and forge new ways of living together in God’s universe. —Meinrad Scherer-Emunds, Senior Editor,  U.S. CATHOLIC 

Paulist Press says: Loving Creation fashions a holistic Christian spirituality that unites ecological concerns with social justice, personal struggles with those of the planet, theological reflection with scientific findings, and everyday grace with global outreach.

Paperback: $19.95

Available at book stores or from Paulist Press: (800) 218-1903 or shop online paulistpress.com. 

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The Spirituality of Fasting: Rediscovering a Christian Practice

Review: Rather than woefully lamenting the loss of the Catholic tradition of fasting, Msgr. Charles Murphy challenges his readers to recover and adapt the practice for today. He agrees that the legalisms associated with fasting in the pre-Vatican II era needed to be discarded, but he also believes that, among other benefits, this age-old spiritual discipline can bring communities together, makes us more aware of the connection between body and soul, and increases our desire for and reliance upon God.

The Spirituality of Fasting offers more than just an argument, though, for why we should fast. It serves as a useful handbook, complete with history, reflection questions, and suggestions for how to translate this valuable ancient practice into our lives. Give it a try this Lent. —Meghan Murphy-Gill, Assistant Editor, U.S. CATHOLIC

Ave Maria Press says: With sensitivity and depth, Msgr. Charles Murphy explores the spiritual discipline of fasting, both in its historical tradition and in its modern significance for Catholic spiritual life.

Paperback: $12.95

Available at book stores or from Ave Maria Press: (800) 282-1865 or shop online avemariapress.com.

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Good Girls, Bad Girls: The Enduring Lessons of Twelve Women of the Old Testament

Review: In clear and engaging language Good Girls, Bad Girls presents 12 of the most important and fascinating women of the Hebrew Bible. In the book's two major parts-Liars, Lawmakers, and Lovers; and Victims, Volunteers, and Vindicators-the reader will encounter Ruth and Jezebel, along with lesser known women such as the Shunammite Woman (1 Kings).

The portraits of these ladies are refreshingly nuanced and multifaceted. Along with solid biblical scholarship, T. J. Wray provides sensitive insights into the contemporary relevance of these women's stories. This book will appeal to both students of the Bible and women and men interested in discovering what these biblical women can teach us today. —Father John Molyneux, C.M.F., Editor, U.S. CATHOLIC

Rowman and Littlefield says: Impeccably researched and beautifully written, Good Girls, Bad Girls takes a nuanced look at the stories of 12 Old Testament women--from "good" Ruth and "bad" Jezebel to infamous Delilah and the mysterious Witch of Endor.

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See past U.S. Catholic Book Club entries

January 2010: Prayerfulness: Awakening to the Fullness of Life by Robert Wicks (Ave Maria Press)
December 2009: Claiming Earth as Common Ground: The Ecological Crisis through the Lens of Faith by Andrea Cohen-Kiener (Skylight Paths Publishing)
November 2009: The Saint and the Sultan: The Crusades, Islam, and Francis of Assisi's Mission of Peace by Paul Moses (Doubleday Religion)
October 2009: The Recollected Heart: A Guide to Making a Contemplative Weekend Retreat by Philip Zaleski (Ave Maria Press)
September 2009: The Forgiveness Book by Alice Camille and Paul Boudreau (ACTA Publications)
August 2009:Seeking Life: The Baptismal Invitation of the Rule of St. Benedictby Esther de Waal
July 2009: A Persistent Peace: One Man’s Struggle for a Nonviolent World by John Dear, S.J. (Loyola Press)
June 2009: Finding Happiness by Abbot Christopher Jamison (Liturgical Press)
May 2009: Listening to God's Word by Alice Camille (Orbis Books)
April 2009: The Geography of God's Mercy by Patrick Hannon (ACTA Publications)

The U.S. Catholic Book Club is a collaborative project of U.S. Catholic magazine and the Catholic Book Publishers Association. The titles featured in the U.S. Catholic Book Club are selected each month by the magazine’s editors from submissions by participating book publishers. The publisher provides a paid advertising in U.S. Catholic magazine for the featured book.