I just finished reading "No Turning Back - A Witness to Mercy" by Father Donald H. Calloway, MIC, which I received for free from the Catholic Company in return for my review. The book begins with a classic on foot chase through a Japanese train station as the good guys set up and pursue the bad guys. In this case, one of the bad guys was Donnie Calloway, a 15 year old thief and drug user. He was the king-pin of a group of boys who robbed the Japanese town surrounding an American Naval base where their fathers were stationed. After being caught and arrested, Donnie escapes briefly by running out of the door and into some deep woods. To avoid the dogs that were sent out after him, Donnie hides in a drain pipe. Somewhat ironically, it is full of raw sewage. How metaphorical! After he is caught, he is deported and spends some time in rehab.
After an unsuccessful stint in rehab, Donnie is back to his old tricks. Drugs, alcohol and girls are the only things he cares about. Running away, getting arrested for stealing a case of beer, stealing a car and money - all of these things were not uncommon for Donnie. He became a Grateful Dead groupie, following the group from show to show, reveling in the drugs and the sex available among the followers. By his own admission, he was bad to the bone.
Eventually, the money ran out and he was on the lam from the law. He had no choice but to go back home. Hardly a model son, his parents take him back in. During his absence, they have become Catholics and Donnie rolls his eyes at their devotion. He doesn't understand it. He resents it.
One night, bored and restless, he goes into his parents bedroom, looking for something to do. He picks up a book. His intent is only to look at the pictures, but he finds himself intrigued. It's a book about the apparitions at Medugorje. The whole thing is foreign to him, but he begins to read and study. He reads all night and by morning, he is on fire. When his mother gets up, he insists that he HAS to talk to a Catholic priest and it has to be NOW. Marveling at the change in her son, his mother makes a phone call. The priest agrees to an appointment later in the day, but Donnie insists that he can't wait. Taking his mother up on her suggestion to visit the Catholic chaplain on base, Donnie takes off running. Long haired, scraggly and dressed in the clothes he wore the day before, the priest is not sure what to make of his young man who insists that he HAS to become Catholic NOW. The priest invites him to the Mass that he will be celebrating soon and an entire new world opens up for Donnie. He returns day after day to talk to the priest and to learn. He begins his study in order to join the Church. His former life now only a memory, Donnie soon understands that he is being called to the priesthood. Because of his love for Mary, the mother of God, he investigates orders devoted to her and chooses The Congregation of Marians of the Immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. They agree to accept him and thus begins his 10 year road to the priesthood. Because of his former lifestyle, he needs to begin by earning a high school diploma. After the GED, he begins college classes and then seminary. He is now a priest and travels the world telling his conversion story to parishes, schools, prisons, etc.
I enjoyed the book. Roughly 2/3 of the book deals with his hell-raising days, in order to impress upon the reader how bad he was and how great God's mercy is. The only criticism I have with the book is that any lasting effects of his drug and alcohol use and his addiction to pornography are glossed over. It is is as if that night marked the end of all of that. There is no discussion of the pull of those addictions and there is very little discussion on the reactions of his former friends. Did they try to change his mind? Did they tempt him with drugs in order to get him back? It is as if they just shrugged their collective shoulders and left him behind as they went on with their lives. He does mention that he is as tempted as any other man, maybe more as Satan knows his weaknesses. How he deals with those temptations would have been instructive.
It's a good book and a great story. It left me wanting to know more about this man and his incredible journey. Thank you to the Catholic Company for the opportunity to read and review this book.
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5 comments:
While I'm thrilled that he turned his life around and found God... I sometimes wonder if these aren't books best kept away from teens... some will believe it doesn't matter what they do because they'll always have their adult years to repent and be saved... kwim?
I work with teenagers and you have no idea how much it helps them to hear about someone who is "REAL." Teenagers tend to think that priests are a bunch of nerdy men who are afraid of talking to women so a witness such as Fr. Calloway's really gives them a fresh perspective. I've heard Fr. Calloway speak to teenagers and he very clearly tells them not to fall into the trap of thinking that they can mess around all they want and then repent later on in life. Therefore, unless the teens are the sheltered type, I think this book is a great read for them. It especially helps those who are trapped in sin themselves.
Renee, he makes the precise point that they shouldn't have that attitude. Get it. It's a page turner!
The two anonymous commenters are correct, Renee. Not only does he make the point that you shouldn't lead that sort of life, but his mother prayed every day for his conversion a la St. Monica and St. Augustine. I think the book shows the power of prayer and a mother's love. I do see your point, although in this case, I don't think it's warranted.
When you walk in the faith there are no coincidences as it is only the plan that our God has for you that unfolds as you accept his power to forgive, change, and guide.
I ordered the book as a Christmas gift for my son; who shares a few common denominators with Fr. Calloway.
The comments I post are therefore firsthand experience of the impact this book can have on the reader and/or the family. It is not comments on the validity of the premises presented in the book or the apparently gaps in literary fluidity.
The impact is REAL; teenagers can and could relate to Fr. Calloway’s journey and the principles working in his process of conversion. The caveat should be a certain level of maturity required to understand the apparent impossibility of someone to escape from the clutches of evil. This is where your catholic faith, as a guide and counselor, should help the reader reach the level of understanding to believe.
If you are a parent or someone interested in helping a human being to believe in the power of the catholic faith, this book is a great tool. If you are just interested in reading for its literary value in the autobiographical gender, you will see the gaps that the other commentators make.
This book can be best used as a guidance tool and as a support to ease into conversations with the teen ager in your life.
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