Thursday, August 4, 2011

Tattoos on the Heart: the Power of Boundless Compassion

Gregory Boyle is a Jesuit priest who in 1985 became the pastor of Dolores Mission Church in the heart of Los Angeles gang territory. During the past 2+ decades, though his leadership and the commitment of his congregation, the church has become a center of acceptance, support, love and hope for gang members who want to change their lives. In Tattoos on the Heart, Father Boyle recounts stories of youths whom he has reached and who have in return taught him about love and the power to overcome almost overwhelming odds of childhoods spent in poverty, violence and rejection. Father Boyle writes with wit and sadness; it's hard to read this book without both laughing and crying. With a goal of helping former gang members find real jobs, Father Boyle established Homeboy Industries. Getting to know the young people that have passed through Homeboy Industries has provided moments of great joy for Boyle as well as unimaginable grief at the senseless murder of so many. Highly recommended.