‘Brighton Rock’ made me feel ready to become a Catholic after so many years of deliberately not being one. I, too, frequently felt lost and agnostic. The story of Rose and Pinkie—so similar, so different, both human—was like a piece I found that had been missing from my puzzle.
Jon M. Sweeney
Jon M. Sweeney is a frequent contributor to America and the author of many books including Francis of Assisi in His Own Words and, for children, The Pope’s Cat series, illustrated by Roy DeLeon.
Posted inFaith
Mother Teresa, The First Great Televised Saint
How did Mother Teresa’s ubiquitous presence in the media hinder us from really knowing her?
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
Parenting as a Catholic pacifist in an era of mass shootings
I have called myself a peacemaker. I have never held a gun and never want to. But I am also a father, and I will always protect my children.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
Praying at the sites of gun violence—even when you feel helpless
Sometimes, standing in a spot and truly acknowledging pain may be the best thing we can do.
Posted inArts & Culture, Books
On the road again: William Least Heat-Moon’s ‘Blue Highways’ turns 40
Forty years after its publication, Jon Sweeney revisits ‘Blue Highways’ and its iconoclastic author.
Posted inBooks, Faith
The four Thomas Merton books you have to read
The essential Merton is all of these books taken together. Read them all, and in this order, if you can.
Posted inArts & Culture, Features
An American Catholic Pilgrimage
Daniel Hornsby’s debut novel, ‘Via Negativa,’ is the story of a Roman Catholic priest on the road to many destinations, both material and spiritual.
Posted inArts & Culture, Books
Review: Richard Wagner’s immense influence on music (and history)
Few artists in history have found as many devotees as Richard Wagner, for better or for worse.
Posted inArts & Culture, Books
Review: Stranger than fiction
A spy story that sounds like a novel, but is true to life.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
The right (and wrong) ways for Catholics to host a Passover Seder
As Christians have become more familiar and neighborly with people of other religious traditions, we have extended that familiarity to appreciation, and sometimes appreciation becomes appropriation.