One of the most fascinating stories of the 20th century belongs to Walter Ciszek, S.J., an American Jesuit priest who spent two decades laboring in the Soviet Union after he was accused of being a Vatican spy.
Catholic Book Club
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From poetry to Catholicism, Muriel Spark did nothing halfway
No list of brilliant Catholic novelists would be complete without Dame Muriel Spark.
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John L’Heureux: Prolific novelist, former Jesuit and author of an alternative Eucharistic prayer
John L’Heureux was rightly praised for his novels, short stories, poetry and memoir. But how many other writers do you know also once wrote an experimental eucharistic prayer?
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Should a priest serve in Congress? Jesuit Robert Drinan did — until Pope John Paul II asked him not to.
Robert F. Drinan, S.J., was a prominent U.S. politician and a longtime law professor—but he found his identity in his priesthood and his Jesuit life more than under the Speaker’s rostrum.
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Why prayer comes easy to a backpacker on a hike
Obituaries for Drew Christiansen, S.J., mentioned his extensive writings on foreign policy issues and the Middle East, but he was also a talented and lyrical nature writer.
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Kelly Cherry: A poetic voice for the atomic age
Was Kelly Cherry a novelist? A poet? An essayist? A literary critic? Depending on one’s point of view, she was one or all of these things.
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Wounds, Shadows and Dribbles: The Catholic Book Club’s latest reads
A novel, a memoir and a history of men’s Catholic collegiate basketball were the three latest selections for the Catholic Book Club.
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Leonard Feeney said there was no salvation outside the Catholic church. Then he was excommunicated.
One of America’s finest literary talents, Leonard Feeney, S.J., rose to national prominence in the 1940s—but not for his prose or poetry.
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Talking truth and lies with the Norwegian novelist who won the Nobel Prize
Sigrid Undset wrote the famous “Kristin Lavransdatter” trilogy and won the Nobel Prize. She also was a sometime contributor to America during the Second World War after the Nazi invasion of Norway had forced her into exile.
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The author you probably never thought of as Irish: John Steinbeck
John Steinbeck, who won the 1962 Nobel Prize for Literature, had many fans—and a few detractors—among reviewers in America over the years.