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Let me begin today, illumined by Thy light, to destroy this part of the natural man which lives in me in its entirety, the obstacle that constantly keeps me from Thy Love.
Taught this prayer as a boy by his grandfather, James Dressler recites it each time he’s tempted by earthly desires. Originally drawn to the priesthood by the mystery, purity, and sensual fabric of the Church, as well as by its promise of a safe harbor from his tempestuous home, James finds himself — just a few years after his ordination — attracted again to his first love, Betty García. Torn between these opposing desires, and haunted by his familial heritage, James finds himself at a crossroads. Exploring issues in the Catholic Church and in life, and infused throughout by a rich sense of the history and vibrant texture of St. Paul, this is an utterly honest and subtly lyrical novel.
darklake
Posted January 29, 2011
What a thoughtful and delightful book. It was slow to hook me, largely because of the distasteful father character who dominated the first hundred pages, but as the book followed the life of James, a flawed but likable priest, I became more and more enchanted by this book's realistic pace. Set mostly in St. Paul, Minnesota, the novel is a tribute to this ethnically diverse city while raising questions about the church and those who serve in it. Reimringer's language is keen and clear, his descriptions never flowery, and his characters developed. I admire the scope and depth of this well-crafted book.
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Posted November 2, 2010
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Overview
Let me begin today, illumined by Thy light, to destroy this part of the natural man which lives in me in its entirety, the obstacle that constantly keeps me from Thy Love.
Taught this prayer as a boy by his grandfather, James Dressler recites it each time he’s tempted by earthly desires. Originally drawn to the priesthood by the mystery, purity, and sensual fabric of the Church, as well as by its promise of a safe harbor from his tempestuous home, James finds himself — just a ...