Slim volume offers amazing depth in history of Jesuits

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With the 2013 election of history's first Jesuit pope, interest mounted exponentially in the now-worldwide Society of Jesus that St. Ignatius Loyola, with nine friends, founded in the 16th century.
What Pope Francis' election means for the Jesuits "remains to be seen," writes Jesuit Father John W. O'Malley. But he points out in "The Jesuits" that "having a Jesuit as pope" represents "an eventuality that through the centuries seemed almost unthinkable."
The reasons it virtually was unthinkable are, from one perspective, what Father O'Malley's brief, easy-to-read history of the Jesuits is about. Over the course of time, "myths and misunderstandings about the Jesuits" entered so deeply into the public mind that "they seem impossible to eradicate," he observes.
Histories of the Society of Jesus written over the centuries often reflected a certain "bifurcation." Either the "Jesuits were saints" or they "were devils," according to Father O'Malley. Only about 20 years ago, he notes, did historians begin "approaching the Jesuits in a more evenhanded way, asking the simple and neutral question, 'What were they like?'"

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We're giving a way a copy of "No Pulling Back" by Ruth Ann Hanley.

Enter before May 15, 2015, to win a copy of "No Pulling Back" by clicking on the link at the top of The Observer Book Club home page.

‘No Pulling Back’ Traces Path Of Canine Who Follows Christ

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By Sharon Boehlefeld | Features Editor
“No Pulling Back” by Ruth Ann Hanley (http://hanleyra.com/) is a story well told about a Roman fighter dog who is bred to kill in the amphitheater. Told entirely from the viewpoint of the dog, whom we meet as Daemon, it follows him from vicious “hero” of fights with bears, dogs and humans through his time with an equally vicious Roman soldier far away from home.
While Daemon spends time with the conquered people, his Roman master dies and he escapes his bondage.
While free, he saves a man from a dangerous mountain cat and his life begins to change. The man rewards the starving dog by feeding him and allowing him to stay near him, and to meet his friends, to watch him as he urges people to repent at a river.
When another man arrives and allows himself to be submerged in the river, Daemon senses a power he has never felt before and begins his journey to conversion and real heroism.
In some respects, reading the book is similar to reading Jack London’s “White Fang,” another story of a dog born wild who is tamed and brought to civilization.

'Chosen' preview Wednesday at RU

(Photo provided by Abbie Reese)

ROCKFORD—For those who prefer watching to reading, there will be a chance to take part in One Diocese, One Book April 22 at Rockford University.
That’s when Abbie Reese, author of the book, “Dedicated to God,” about the cloistered Poor Clares of Rockford, will preview a portion of the companion movie, “Chosen.”
“I’m realizing that people don’t understand that the film is collaborative — made with and focused on the nuns,” Reese said.  “I lent the nuns video cameras so that they could record their experiences from their own perspective. The film will offer a rare glimpse into an otherwise remote world.”
The showing will be at Fisher Memorial Chapel on the RU campus.
Reese is producing the film independently. She hopes to raise $25,000 to finish production.
The Rockford Area Arts Council helped Reese with a grant application and supported the film with a Community Arts Access Grant.
“The Rockford Area Arts Council is thrilled to be a partner in this incredible project,” said Anne O’Keefe of the council. “The artistic quality of this film is incredible and the way the story is told is unlike any other.”
The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, the Illinois Humanities Grant and a number of area Catholics have also contributed toward the film’s costs.
Anyone may attend the free screening but Reese will accept donations during the evening.
O’Keefe will join John McGrath,  Rockford Diocese director of Educational Services, to  open the screening.
Doors open at 6 p.m. and the showing is at 7 p.m.

Info: www.chosenthefilm.com or www.facebook.com/ChosenFilm.

Military Mom hopes to provide spiritual guidance with book

 (CNS photo/courtesy Jill Siegel)

By Nate Madden | Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON--There are some conversations that most parents are never truly prepared for, and some that they probably never want to have. Their son or daughter telling them about wanting to join the military is definitely among them.
In her just-released book "Be Safe, Love Mom," Elaine Lowry Brye seeks to make that conversation, as well as the entire lifestyle change following it, much easier for mothers whose children have chosen to don a uniform and serve their country, regardless of the branch.
In addition, she offers practical, emotional and spiritual advice to mothers who are beginning to realize that, in a certain way, they too will be going through the rigors of military training and its subsequent lifestyle with their sons and daughters.
As it says in the book, "While our loved ones are away, acclimating to their new lives as soldiers, we also are undergoing our own initiation period, adjusting to our new identities. ... We need to understand that we are at the beginning of a long and steep road."
"When your child joins the military, you don't just cut the apron strings, they're cut for you with a machete," Brye told Catholic News Service in a phone interview. "There are no books out there that tell you how to parent an adult, much less a motivated, independent warrior."