Jesuit jottings

June 2, 2014

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 A new book featuring writings by a current SU Jesuit and other Jesuits with ties to the university is now available. 

Published through Orbis Books, The Jesuit Post is comprised of 29 essays, 20 of which have never been published. The book features "The Tyranny of Possibility and the One Thing Wanted: Freedom, Commitment, and the Duty of Love," written by SU's own Brendan Busse, S.J., instructor in Matteo Ricci. 

The book grew out of a blog of the same title that was launched in 2012 by a group of Jesuits, including Busse. 

"I must say that I think it's a bit funny that we'd publish a book based on something (The Jesuit Post) that is really more of a social media experiment," says Busse (left), "but I suppose Jesuits will try to engage folks by any means necessary! You don't tweet? Here's a Facebook post. You're not on Facebook? Here's a blog entry. You don't subscribe to blogs? Register here and we'll send it to your e-mail. No e-mail? Alright then, we'll publish a book. Oh...by the way, it's available on Kindle too!

"The book came together in much the same way the blog does; our editors took a few of the more popular pieces from the website and then asked some of the regular writers to submit new pieces. The only real unifying factor in the book (as with the site) is that we're all young Jesuits in formation; beyond that, it's pretty much a free-for-all. I think the one thing the book communicates about the Jesuit perspective is that there is nothing 'out of bounds' for the Ignatian imagination. Our sincere desire to find and to celebrate God in all things frees us to do one thing in many different ways. I think it demonstrates our desire to be free to love in any context, no matter what."

James Martin, S.J., the "Colbert Chaplain," wrote a foreword for the book. Quentin Dupont, S.J., and Jason Welle, S.J., who both spent time at the university in recent years, also contributed essays, "At the Corner of St. Peter's Square and Wall Street," and "Mental Health in America," respectively. 

To learn more about the book and to order a copy, visit The Jesuit Post.