Not Less Than Everything:
Catholic Writers on Heroes of Conscience,
from Joan of Arc to Oscar Romero
Harper One 2013
Joan of Arc, Ignatius of Loyola, Bartolome de Las Casas, Mother Mary McKillop – all are Catholics whose beliefs caused them to be persecuted, but who, through the test of time, came to be revered. In fact, many figures who intrigue and inspire us found the strength – personal, spiritual, intellectual – to challenge the Church. Some were called heretics, denounced for denying doctrine. Others were condemned for not submitting to Church authorities. In Not Less Than Everything, some of the best Catholic writers of our time – Colm Toibin, Alice McDermott, Ron Hansen, Joan Chittister, Tobias Wolff—share their personal accounts of heroes of conscience, who have much to teach us.
Praise
“Pure Gold! What a gift and contribution to put such superb authors and super heroes together in one place. This book could move all of our lives to a much higher level of consciousness—where some have already had the courage to go.”
“Not Less Than Everything is thought-provoking. Although it features the beliefs and challenges of those belonging to the Catholic faith, the basic theme is timeless and crosses religious boundaries.”
“This compilation of heroines and heroes shines light in our challenging time as we search for fidelity that is deeper that blind obedience.”
“The essays form an affirmation of the faith. They’re stories of various people who, in many different ways throughout the history of the Church, were willing to say ‘I know that I’m right, and they’re telling me that I’m wrong, but I’m going to stay with the institution anyway.’”
“This important book is essential reading for Catholics. It is a timely reminder that, quite often in the church, the excluded become the embraced, the silenced become the prophets, the excommunicated become the saints, and the stones that the builders rejected become the cornerstones.”
“A thoroughly engrossing collection of mini biographies of familiar or unfamiliar but always fascinating characters — as seen through the eyes of highly regarded contemporary authors.”