The history of the Church is replete with spiritual autobiographies, many of them written by saints, and many more written by priests, religious, and laity who have not been raised to the altars. Many Catholics […]
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(Image: Michel Grolet / Unsplash.com)The history of the Church is replete with spiritual autobiographies, many of them written by saints, and many more written by priests, religious, and laity who have not been raised to the altars. Many Catholics love a good conversion story or vocation story; we like to learn how the Lord works in the lives of our brothers and sisters. It can be moving, inspiring, and encouraging.
Fr.BarryMartinson,S.J.,istheauthorofDiaryofaYoungJesuit:AllthisBeautyBlooming(IgnatiusPress,2025).Thisisthelatestinalonglineofspiritualautobiographiesandisatremendousentryinthattradition.Fr.Martinsontraceshisearlydaysandvocationstory,andfirstsixyearsofseminarytraining,beforebeingassignedasamissionarytoTaiwan.Wereadabouthiseducation,contemplation,andhisbeingtakenunderthewingofasaintlyJesuitwholefttheChinesemissionsforhealthreasonsandbecameaspiritualfather