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The Soul of Sponsorship: The Friendship of Fr. Ed Dowling, S.J. and Bill Wilson in Letters
The Soul of Sponsorship explores the relationship of Bill Wilson, cofounder of Alcoholics Anonymous, and his spiritual adviser and friend, Father Ed Dowling.
The Soul of Sponsorship explores the relationship of Bill Wilson, cofounder of Alcoholics Anonymous, and his spiritual adviser and friend, Father Ed Dowling. Many might consider that such a remarkable individual as Bill Wilson, who was the primary author of AA literature, would be able to deal with many of life's problems on his own. Reading The Soul of Sponsorship will illuminate and answer the question of how Father Ed, an Irish Catholic Jesuit priest who was not an alcoholic, was able to be of such great help to Bill Wilson. Part of AA's Twelfth Step reminds us "to carry this message to alcoholics," and The Soul of Sponsorship illustrates how sober alcoholics still need the principles of the Twelve Steps brought to them by friends, sponsors, and spiritual advisers. Some of the problems faced by Bill Wilson in recoverydependency issueswhether or not to experiment with LSDthe place of money and power in AAknowing God's plan and willlearning from mistakesFather Ed taught Bill the importance of "discernment." In Father Ed's Jesuit tradition, discernment was a gift, passed down to him from St. Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuits, who described his own struggle with discernment in Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. The Twelve Steps of AA and the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius presuppose that there is a caring God whose will can be known. The act of tuning in to God's action at one's center is discernment. The big question is, how do you know your Higher Power is speaking and revealing Himself through your feelings and desires?What Bill learned from Father Ed can be found in books and articles he wrote for AA. For the good of AA and himself, Bill learned to listen to his desires, be aware of his inner dynamics, and tune into the action of God within. Doing this meant learning to recognize and identify his personal movements -- those inner promptings and attractions often called emotions or affections -- which are part of ordinary human experiences. The person who helped Bill grow in discernment was Father Ed, the Jesuit priest with a cane who limped into the New York AA clubhouse one sleet-filled November night in 1940.The two "fellow travelers," Father Ed Dowling and Bill Wilson, gave each other perhaps the greatest gift friends can calling on each to know who he is -- before God.
The Soul of Sponsorship explores the relationship of Bill Wilson, cofounder of Alcoholics Anonymous, and his spiritual adviser and friend, Father Ed Dowling. Many might consider that such a remarkable individual as Bill Wilson, who was the primary author of AA literature, would be able to deal with many of life's problems on his own. Reading The Soul of Sponsorship will illuminate and answer the question of how Father Ed, an Irish Catholic Jesuit priest who was not an alcoholic, was able to be of such great help to Bill Wilson. Part of AA's Twelfth Step reminds us "to carry this message to alcoholics," and The Soul of Sponsorship illustrates how sober alcoholics still need the principles of the Twelve Steps brought to them by friends, sponsors, and spiritual advisers. Some of the problems faced by Bill Wilson in recoverydependency issueswhether or not to experiment with LSDthe place of money and power in AAknowing God's plan and willlearning from mistakesFather Ed taught Bill the importance of "discernment." In Father Ed's Jesuit tradition, discernment was a gift, passed down to him from St. Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuits, who described his own struggle with discernment in Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. The Twelve Steps of AA and the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius presuppose that there is a caring God whose will can be known. The act of tuning in to God's action at one's center is discernment. The big question is, how do you know your Higher Power is speaking and revealing Himself through your feelings and desires?What Bill learned from Father Ed can be found in books and articles he wrote for AA. For the good of AA and himself, Bill learned to listen to his desires, be aware of his inner dynamics, and tune into the action of God within. Doing this meant learning to recognize and identify his personal movements -- those inner promptings and attractions often called emotions or affections -- which are part of ordinary human experiences. The person who helped Bill grow in discernment was Father Ed, the Jesuit priest with a cane who limped into the New York AA clubhouse one sleet-filled November night in 1940.The two "fellow travelers," Father Ed Dowling and Bill Wilson, gave each other perhaps the greatest gift friends can calling on each to know who he is -- before God.
160 pages, Paperback
First published July 21, 1995
78 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Robert Fitzgerald
99 books52 followersUntil his death in 1985, Robert Stuart Fitzgerald was Boylston Professor of Rhetoric and Oratory Emeritus at Harvard University. He was a member of the National Academy of Arts and Sciences and a Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets. In 1984 he was named the poet of the Library of Congress. He published four volumes of his own poetry, and translations, with Dudley Fitts, of Alcestis, Antigone, and Oedipus Rex, in addition to his Illiad, Aeneid, and Oedipus at Colonus.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 5, 2013
I loved the book. I have a catholic friend who is struggling to embrace AA because he thinks it might jeopardize his religious faith. This book helped me to see where much of what happens in AA is a direct result of Bill working with Father Ed.
March 15, 2017
Interesting background and beginnings of AA. Easy read. It was a reading assignment, I wouldn't have read it otherwise. I am glad it was on my reading list.
March 7, 2023
Enjoyable book. Easy read. I got this from the library to try and pinpoint the exact relationship between the 12 steps and the spiritual exercises. There are general themes, but maybe need to read more carefully to pinpoint exact parallels. Prompted me to read Dawn Eden Goldstein's book on the subject. Father Ed: The Story of Bill W's Spiritual Sponsor Hardcover – November 10, 2022
by Dawn Goldstein (Author). That book is more up close and personal about his life and his own struggles, gift for helping people in trouble, and less specifically about Bill W. and AA. Both books are very good.
by Dawn Goldstein (Author). That book is more up close and personal about his life and his own struggles, gift for helping people in trouble, and less specifically about Bill W. and AA. Both books are very good.
October 15, 2017
I read this book with a book club. Each week we would read a chapter and then discuss it. The friendship of Fr. Ed Dowling and Bill Wilson is remarkable in the honesty and the non-judgmental support that they shared.
My favorite quote is when Fr. Ed was talking about the positive aspects he has experienced in recovery, saying, "I have seen dreams walk. I expect them to walk...Recovery has made my optimism greater, my hopelessness starts much later."
My favorite quote is when Fr. Ed was talking about the positive aspects he has experienced in recovery, saying, "I have seen dreams walk. I expect them to walk...Recovery has made my optimism greater, my hopelessness starts much later."
May 26, 2018
Deepening understanding of sponsorship
An interesting and accurate look into the relationship between Bill W and his spiritual advisor. AA casts a wide net and the message of humility and love is a “design for living” that can work for us all.
An interesting and accurate look into the relationship between Bill W and his spiritual advisor. AA casts a wide net and the message of humility and love is a “design for living” that can work for us all.
October 28, 2022
A little disjointed, and it assumes a great deal of familiarity with Catholic theology. Having said that, there were items in this book that I hadn't encountered. A frustrating read but not without its benefits.
October 1, 2023
Details a profound relationship and provides a trail of breadcrumbs in understanding the power of AA’s 12 Steps and their application in solving for any addiction, if practiced rigorously and honestly. Also details a beautiful friendship with so much accountability, shared wisdom, trust, and love.
November 3, 2025
amazing historical look at history of AA
Really wonderful story about relationship of Bill Wilson and father Ed. Don’t miss the appendices. Some really good information there as other resources now that your curiosity is tweaked!
Really wonderful story about relationship of Bill Wilson and father Ed. Don’t miss the appendices. Some really good information there as other resources now that your curiosity is tweaked!
November 4, 2025
Fitzgerald studied the correspondence between Bill Wilson and Fr. Ed Dowling and culled the material for their dialogue over spiritual matters. It is interesting to see two men from completely different backgrounds find common ground to help each other out.
November 13, 2018
The title is misleading, but it was an interesting read about the friendship between these two men. Some of my "mutual friends" will appreciate it.
May 7, 2008
Started March 9, 2005 Not the sort of book I'd have expected to read in a Spiritual Classic's class. It's the story of how a Jesuit priest, Fr. Ed Dowling, S.J., helped and taught Bill Wilson cofounder of Alcoholics Anonymous. The book is a record of their 20 year correspondence and friendship.
It's really a beautiful book. Simple. Moving. Very touching. It addresses our most basic needs--for God and each other. I cannot recommend it too highly!
It's really a beautiful book. Simple. Moving. Very touching. It addresses our most basic needs--for God and each other. I cannot recommend it too highly!
March 25, 2018
Read with my group; interesting interplay between ED and Bill.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews