Essential Reading
I've offered my contribution to Busted Halo's "Essential Reading" feature.
Check it out here.
Happy Reading!
posted by Mark Mossa, SJ at 10:16 AM
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
About Me
- Name: Mark Mossa, SJ
- Location: Bronx, New York, United States
What's a "hyphenated" priest? It's a priest who is also pursuing one or more other occupations. I am a student-priest, professor-priest and writer-priest. I am also a Jesuit priest, but that doesn't get a hyphen. I am currently doing all these things at Fordham University, in New York City.
Previous Posts
- Consolation for Red Sox Nation
- New additions to the blogroll
- Finally, "Silence"?
- They Speak It With Their Mouths, But . . .
- There's Just SO Many Possibilities!
- And the winner is . . .
- Unexpected
- Peak Traffic
- Midnight Pontiff
- Did I Really Just Read What I Thought I Read?
SURFS UP!
Links of Interest
---YDML BOOKSHELF---
4 Comments:
Nice picture, now I have a face to put with all those prayers I offer for you.
What's with the clerics? The Jesuist this weekend, all but the Oldest one had clerics on too. Are you guys all into the clerical thing now?
Maggie
I daresay we are not into the "clerical thing," whatever that means. However, the job comes with a uniform. So, when I'm doing things in a more official or formal capacity (like when I teach), I often choose to wear clerics. Clerics also have the advantage of being at once work wear, casual wear, and formal wear, you can't beat that!
But, most days, I'm not wearing clerics. I did this past Saturday for the diaconate ordinations here at Weston, but I wear "regular clothes" to my classes.
One thing is becoming apparent, however. Younger Jesuits are more apt to be seen in clerics than older Jesuits. Not because we want to be clerical, but because it's part of the job and part of our witness. For many older Jesuits, the spirit of Vatican II, which they lived through, was in some ways a reaction against clericalism. So, they would be likely to see wearing clerics themselves as an expression of that clericalism. Not having lived through that, us younger guys don't see it in quite the same way.
So, I'd like to say it's a "witness thing" rather than a "clerical thing!"
Someone else recommended Blue Like Jazz to me ages ago (don't remember who though). Never got around to reading it.
And then this evening, browsing the spirituality section of my local library, what do you think was on the shelf? So, giving it a read.
I have to admit, when I read "clerical" I think office skills :) ... On a semi-related note, I told a friend at work I was going to visit the Sisters this weekend. I've only recently shared my vocation news with him. He asked what I'd be wearing. I told him clothes. He seemed disappointed to learn the Sisters don't wear habits.... Now a habit, that's work wear, casual wear and formal wear all in one!
So I've started the book (one chapter). And I already love it .. Blue Like Jazz that is.
Of course he wrote it in my neighborhood, at my coffee shop (according to the acknowledgements)
And in the Author's Note at the beginning when he talks about hearing a Jazz saxophonist playing outside the Bagdad Theater in Portland .... down the street. Small world :)
Now I wonder what the author looks like. I'm sure to have seen him at some point in my daily life.
Post a Comment
<< Home