Jesuit and Catholic and Brophy
A Reflection from Fr. Bill Muller, S.J.
Vice President for Mission and Identity
As a young Jesuit, I was studying philosophy, a necessary step along the way to ordination, at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. During the summers my Jesuit classmates and I had two weeks of vacation time at an old lodge on Priest Lake in northern Idaho — stunningly beautiful and, with our classes behind us for a while, we had a great time. On the first day of vacation, one of my classmates asked to share a thought with us, the gist of which was to keep our minds active by reading a good book or two while on vacation. I’ve carried that advice through the years and though I like to read anyway I especially like bringing a couple of books with me when I have some time away.
In that spirit, let me suggest a few (really good) books you might consider for your summertime reading — and of course, make your own list to match your reading tastes.
The Lincoln Highway (Amor Towles 2021)
This is about teenagers transitioning to adulthood and traveling from Nebraska to New York on their way to California. A grand coming-of-age adventure.
Redhead by the Side of the Road (Anne Tyler 2020)
I love Anne Tyler’s novels! This one is described in one review as “a perfect love story for imperfect people.” My favorite Tyler novel is "Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant" (1982), but all of her novels are wonderful.
The Hummingbird’s Daughter (Luis Alberto Urrea 2005)
This is a historical novel telling the story of the author’s great aunt, Teresita, who becomes Santa Teresa, the Saint of Cabora. It is set in late 19th-century northern Mexico. A mystical story.
Three Day Road (Joseph Boyden 2005)
Two young indigenous Canadians fight in WWI. Not the easiest book to read, but this historical novel sheds light on what Canadian First Nations peoples have had to endure. The aunt of one of the young Cree takes turns with her nephew telling the story.
Alive in God (Timothy Radcliff 2019)
Not a novel, but rather the reflections of a Dominican friar, the former Master of the Order of Preachers. It is an invitation to live fully! Pleasant and inspiring spiritual reading.
Winter Hours: Prose, Prose Poems, and Poems (Mary Oliver 1999)
Written by Mary Oliver, one of America’s great poets who died in 2019, this is one of those books where you can read some pages, put the book down, and not pick it up for a while. Actually, it’s probably better to leave spaces between readings. One of her essays is about Gerard Manley Hopkins, the Jesuit poet.
Summer has arrived; I hope you’re making your list! Happy reading.
Some June Dates to Note
3 – Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle
4 – Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
5 – World Environment Day
11 – Solemnity of Corpus Christi
12 – Anniversary of the Assassination of Medgar Evers (1963)
Anniversary of the Orlando Florida Nightclub Shooting (2016)
14 – Flag Day
16 – Solemnity of the Sacred Heart
17 – Memorial of the Immaculate Heart
20 – World Refugee Day
21 – Feast of St. Aloysius Gonzaga
24 – Feast of John the Baptist
29 – Feast of Saints Peter and Paul