What do you think?
Rate this book
Father Brian D'Arcy: A Different Journey
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 23, 2020
A fascinating insight into the life of one of the most popular priests in Ireland, if not the world. Father Brian D'Arcy takes the reader from his birth up to 2006. This autobiography needs updating and would benefit the author from doing so.
Being English, I hadn't heard much of Brian until he became Roger Royle's successor on the Radio 2 Sunday Half Hour programme. Unfortunately Brian didn't last as long as many listeners would have hoped, being replaced by Diane Louise Jordan before the programme was scrapped, after a period of well over 70 years, for a Sunday hour programme in the morning, which itself is now barely existent in a two hour slot roughly at the same time.
This is a compelling, heartbreaking and at times hilarious story of the struggle between human nature and vocation. Entering the Passionist congregation meant cutting himself off from the outside world, but through some providential events, D'Arcy found a way to pursue two great loves - music and sport. Barry McGuigan, Johnny Cash, Terry Wogan and Daniel O'Donnell are fellow travellers who inspired Brian's journey. His saintly influences include Mother Teresa and St Charles of Mount Argus. D'Arcy entered a church that hadn't changed in 300 years, Vatican 2 brought a promise of renewal, but Archbishop McQuaid declared Nothing has changed. The book chronicles the turbulent years when the Catholic Church seemed set to self destruct, protecting abusers whilst forcing many of its better priests to leave, their only crime was falling in love with a woman. So why does Brian remain a priest? The answer is a parable to us all.
Being English, I hadn't heard much of Brian until he became Roger Royle's successor on the Radio 2 Sunday Half Hour programme. Unfortunately Brian didn't last as long as many listeners would have hoped, being replaced by Diane Louise Jordan before the programme was scrapped, after a period of well over 70 years, for a Sunday hour programme in the morning, which itself is now barely existent in a two hour slot roughly at the same time.
This is a compelling, heartbreaking and at times hilarious story of the struggle between human nature and vocation. Entering the Passionist congregation meant cutting himself off from the outside world, but through some providential events, D'Arcy found a way to pursue two great loves - music and sport. Barry McGuigan, Johnny Cash, Terry Wogan and Daniel O'Donnell are fellow travellers who inspired Brian's journey. His saintly influences include Mother Teresa and St Charles of Mount Argus. D'Arcy entered a church that hadn't changed in 300 years, Vatican 2 brought a promise of renewal, but Archbishop McQuaid declared Nothing has changed. The book chronicles the turbulent years when the Catholic Church seemed set to self destruct, protecting abusers whilst forcing many of its better priests to leave, their only crime was falling in love with a woman. So why does Brian remain a priest? The answer is a parable to us all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2008
He tells about his unusual life in a captivating and honest way. I found the content very interesting and felt as if I knew him after reading it as his style is so direct and personal. I read the book because I was curious about his life. After reading the book I had many of my questions about his life answered and also came away with thoughts to ponder about humanity, life and my own path. This is one of the most worthwhile books I've read in a long time.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews