This book contains 23 short essays written by prominent Americans about the roles their fathers played in their upbringing as Catholics. They range from a bishop and some priests to successful businessmen and a mega star of American Football.
Many of the writers came from large families who had difficulty making ends meet. Indeed, some were quite dysfunctional but in all cases the father was a hero. Running through most of them is a theme of the father visibly and seriously practising his faith. In some cases, the father chose a career that paid less well but afforded him a better chance of spending more time with the family. Several of the contributors and their fathers were or are deeply involved in the Pro Life cause.
In these challenging times for the Church and society the book’s final paragraph strikes a very positive note: The world will be reordered and saved through the Gospel. I believe this battle will be led by the kinds of fathers described in this book, but it will take legions more of them to win. May all men take up their crosses and wield the sword of fatherhood to lead, protect and educate the souls entrusted to them by God, our Father.