My Son, the Priest

A beautifully written tale of spiritual growth.James Martin, SJ, author of the New York Times bestsellers Jesus: A Pilgrimage and Learning to PrayNot every Catholic mother wants her son to be a priest.The true story of a young mans journey to become a Jesuit priestwritten by his mother, a fallen-away Catholic who must come to terms with her sons decision or risk losing him. It is an intimate, sometimes irreverent, and often searing examination of faith, family, and reconciliation.You send your son off to college and you think that in a few years you might get a call, and hell announce that he has someone hes bringing home, someone he wants you to meet. But then that someone turns out to be a recruiter hawking a lifetime of poverty, chastity and obedience. What college kid in his right mind would sign up for that?The book offers a rare, often entertaining, glimpse into the highly unusual Jesuit formation processwhich includes sending would-be priests off on pilgrimages with $35 in their pockets. It also takes on tough issues, from the churchs history of sexual abuse to its treatment of women, and asks tough questions: Is it possible to be Catholic, liberal, and a feminist all at the same time? What does it mean to call yourself a Catholic?