Work in Progress: Confessions of a Busboy, Dishwasher, Caddy, Usher, Factory Worker, Bank Teller, Corporate Tool, and Priest

by James Martin

In this humorous memoir, New York Times bestselling author and podcast host of The Spiritual Life, Father James Martin tells the story of a busboy, dishwasher, caddy, usher, factory worker, bank teller, and corporate tool and, finally, a Jesuit priest.

"Funny, charming, inspiring and wise—this is a memorable memoir." — Stephen Colbert, Comedian and writer

Work in Progress is a snapshot of several years—first as a boy, then as a teenager, and finally as a young adult--of being thrown into a series of jobs for which Martin had zero training. He had never set foot in a restaurant kitchen before working as a busboy and dishwasher; never stepped onto a golf course before working as a caddy; and had never seen a factory floor before working as an assembly-line worker. He almost always felt uncomfortable, unsettled, and uneasy. But, like many of us, he needed the money.

This coming-of-age story is set in the 1960s and 1970s, a lighthearted tale for readers who enjoy personal narratives, and it’s unlike anything Father Martin has written before. As he puts it, "This is a spiritual memoir from a different angle … told 'slant' as Emily Dickinson might say."

Each chapter features photos of memories and milestones throughout Father Martin's young life. If you're an aficionado of snafus, you won't be disappointed. He's not the hero of these stories, more a hapless teenager who learns in each job, even the ones he loathes, something about the value of work, about what it means to be an adult, about people, and about life overall.

Work in Progress teaches us small but important life lessons such

work hard and be on time, don't be mean, apologize when you need to, and forgive frequently, ask if you don't know something, don't misuse power,pay attention to those who are struggling, listen and, above all, be kind.Martin shares, "My summer jobs, crazy and funny and varied as they were, had something to do with who I am. As we Jesuits would say, the lessons I learned helped to 'form" me."

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Biography, Religion, Audiobook, Autobiography, Biography Memoir

368 pages, Hardcover

Published February 3, 2026

About the author

James Martin, SJ is a Jesuit priest, writer, editor at large of the Jesuit magazine America, and consultor to the Vatican's Secretariat for Communication.

Fr. Martin grew up in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, United States, and attended Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business in 1982 and worked in corporate finance at General Electric for six years. Dissatisfied with the corporate world, he entered the Society of Jesus (more commonly known as the Jesuits) in 1988, and after completing his Jesuit training (which included studies in philosophy and theology, as well as full time-ministry) was ordained a priest in 1999. He received his Master's in Divinity (M.Div.) and Master's in Theology (Th.M.) from the Weston Jesuit School of Theology (now part of Boston College).

During his Jesuit training, Martin worked in a hospital for the seriously ill and a homeless shelter in Boston, with Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in Jamaica, with street-gang members in Chicago, in a prison in Boston, and for two years with East African refugees in Nairobi, Kenya, with the Jesuit Refugee Service. In addition to his work at America magazine, Fr. Martin has written or edited more than 15 books, most of which are about spirituality and religion. He is a frequent commentator on religion and spirituality and has appeared on all the major networks, served as an expert commentator for ABC for the papal conclave that elected Pope Francis, and has written for many outlets, including the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

Father Martin's best known books The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything (2010) and Jesus: A Pilgrimage were both New York Times bestsellers; My Life with the Saints was named a Publishers Weekly Best Book; and all three were winners of the Christopher Award.

He has received over 15 honorary degrees from Catholic colleges and universities, and in 2017 Pope Francis appointed him as consultor to the Vatican's Secretariat for Communication.

Reviews

[Ellen Cosgrove]

The first time I heard Fr. James Martin speak was at a live taping for the Colbert Report. I was very taken by his charm, his intellect, his sense of humor, and his spirituality.

I saw he was leading a book group for his latest book and decided to read it. It was a fun memoir following along as he recounted his childhood through the early years of his Jesuit study. Since we’re basically the same age, we shared many familiar experiences and I particularly enjoyed his recounting of working in NYC in the 1980s where we frequented many of the same places.

I had hoped he would go into more detail about his discernment to enter into religious life, but he has covered this elsewhere, so it was an enjoyable opportunity to get to know him better and to understand what makes him tick.

[Jeffrey Aubuchon]

I like Fr. James Martin and I appreciate his vision of inclusion among Catholics. This book doesn't (explicitly) address that vision, nor is it Merton's Seven Storey Mountain. This is his homage to summer work as a teenager and as a young professional. He's showing the world that 'priests are human, too'. It's a beach or airplane read for those nostalgic for bicentennial America and soda jerks.

[Grace Conroy]

did i need to read a detailed account of every summer job jim martin held? probably not, but he’s an entertaining writer, so it was sort of enjoyable. resonated with his discernment journey a lot !

[Annelieske Sanders]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Funny and light hearted stories with just a touch of spiritualism and Jesuit reflection. The 70s tidbits sent me down a shag carpet and permanent daylight savings rabbit hole

[Deacon Tom (Feeling Better)]

Brilliant work

[Tim Nistler]

This is such a wonderful book and the first I’ve read by Father James Martin. It’s an enjoyable telling of his summer jobs and life leading up to his joining the Jesuits. So many great stories and some heart breaking ones too. Here was a young man who didn’t seem to know he was destined to become a Jesuit. Life lessons that in some cases didn’t register as such until later in his life. It is also refreshing to read from a religious leader about his life before he became religious and in such a candid way - including drinking and smoking pot. His story never feels judging or even preaching. It’s just his story and Father Martin’s humanity is on display from a young teen into his adulthood and I guarantee you’ll enjoy this read.

[Kathy]

Toward the beginning of his book, James shares about his growing up years and all his odd jobs from junior high to post college. He says the book is a spiritual memoir (though it doesn't read like one for about 95% of the book). He says it wasn't a single, dramatic conversion experience, but more of a gradual transformation. The he says, "besides, the world's not such a bad place. Peach ice cream, for example, is pretty great." He goes on to say, "But everyone's life is a spiritual journey, whether they know it or not. So while some of the stories may not seem explicitly religious, grace was there, mainly in what I was being taught about life. When I was young, I wasn't aware of that. Now I am."

[Teresa]

What a delightful read! Being raised Catholic, we tend to form a certain view of the life of a priest, and so it was so much fun to read about the ACTUAL life of Father Martin - before he took his vows. Completely relatable and definitely not censored to give the reader any other impression beyond the fact that yes, even religious members of the Church grew up living their lives in many of the same ways (mistakes and all) that the rest of society did! It was fun to hear his take on the various summer jobs he endured and how they changed his view on life, especially as he looked back on the experience. Great read - definitely recommend!

[fpk]

Took me a while to finish this, but I enjoyed this book a lot. A Jesuit priest reminisces about his jobs growing up, how his early training impacted his choices as he matured and how he ultimately switched vocation from Wharton grad financial professional to committing his life to God in a Catholic brotherhood. Funny, inspiring and entertaining. I only wished Martin had elaborated more on his eventual calling to the priesthood- that part was disappointingly shortened compared to the rest of his job histories. I remain kind of amazed at all the drinking and pot smoking he’d done, over many years, and then somehow abruptly stopped!

[Karyn]

I listened to this book and it was narrated by Fr. James. I enjoyed his stories about growing up, two years older than me, and loved all the nostalgia shared, and could relate to current events, pop culture, etc.. He had some fun, and interesting summer jobs, and I was very entertained by his experiences and stories shared. A friend of mine just told me that she worked with him at GE Capital. He has had an interesting journey to the priesthood, and I have been a fan of his and his beliefs and teachings for years, and for who he chooses to fight for. I also connected with him this winter when his Mom and my Mom passed away just about at the same time. I found his writing about his Mom a comfort to me as I began to mourn and feel the loss of my own Mom. The book is light, funny, and heartwarming, and I enjoyed hearing him tell his story.

[Glen Elliott]

An interesting life study focused on summer jobs and life choices. Those born in the 1960s will be reminded of a lot that we’ve seen and experienced. Here are life lessons that everyone can relate to even if you’re young and don’t remember having a paper route. This is a fun, enjoyable read, written by a man with a sense of humor, humility and reality. This is for everyone that’s interested in living a life of fulfillment.

[Anna Fishel]

Audio. The first 2/3 of the book is an interesting and entertaining memoir that recounts the author’s work experiences. It is both entertaining and relatable. Then the last hour or so packed a big punch for me as it, in essence, showed how the sum total of your life experiences can frame your sense of equanimity. The timing was uncanny as this is something I have been focusing on in my life. And it was lovely, unexpected wisdom from a book that I had chosen simply for entertainment.

[Cheryl]

While it was interesting to read about his experiences in summer jobs, I kept waiting to hear about his spiritual journey. Apparently he became very burned out by his job in the financial sector and a horrible boss and gave it all up to become a Jesuit priest seemingly overnight. So the only spiritual advice is to avoid soul crushing work??

[Mary Northrup]

I saw the author on the Colbert show talking about this book with his friend Stephen. I've read other good books by Martin, and this one is outstanding. It's a memoir of the summer jobs he had from boyhood through his young adult years. Funny, honest, detailed -- he was a normal kid in 1970s America who happened to grow up to become a Jesuit priest.

[Michelle]

I grew up in same area, a few years later than he, so it was nostalgic to hear stories about places that are very different now. Martin gets a bit verbose at times and tends to over-explain some things like how to operate an industrial popcorn machine, but it was an entertaining and interesting audio book.

Much respect for him telling it plain. It was nice to hear from a priest who grew up "just like us" and experienced all the wildness of youth and taking ownership.

[Vita]

Loved it!

[Mary]

4.5 stars . Review to come soon

[Kevin Hall]

Made me...not want to be a Jesuit, but it made me appreciate them more than I already do!

[Andrea]

This was an enjoyable reminiscence of summer jobs in the ‘70s and ‘80s. How could I not enjoy a book that references raking a shag rug?!

[Cyndi T]

Descent book. Very good if you want to take a trip down memory lane of popular items in the 70's and 80's.

[Molly Yonker]

Got out of my reading groove so took a sec to finish, but a good little fiction break! I also just do really like Fr. Martin

[Jeanne Bessee]

Interesting read about the background of a Priest, that surprisingly to me, was not always what you would expect. Glad he found a life that made him happy.

[Sarah Kearns]

I absolutely loved this book! It’s a witty and wise, and a great reminder that priests are human too. The humor and insight make it both entertaining and thought-provoking!

[Jane]

Fun to hear about all the summer jobs that led up to becoming a Jesuit!

[Susan]

This is a delightful, smart, funny memoir. Father Martin is someone I would love to have as a friend. Highly recommend.

[Joshua Rosati]

Round up, easy listen. Seems like a nice guy who is trying to look back and take the most out of his experiences even if he didn't realize the value of them at the time (like most of us don't).

[Jill M Caldwell]

Excellent memoir and vocation story and a clear explanation of how we are all a work in progress.

[Susan]

I am now a fan girl of Father James Martin who was the author of this book. I was not familiar with this author before, and I see that he has written several books. I loved how the author was so vulnerable and truthful about his younger days and earlier jobs. I found it really refreshing that a graduate of Penn State Wharton School of Business would decide to go in the exact opposite direction of his profession. He also narrated the audiobook, and I love hearing the author’s voice. His voice was genuinely kind, and I enjoyed listening to him reflect on earlier times. I was very interested in what he said about his university as that is where the notorious Donald Trump also went. I am guessing that Trump is about 20 years older than the author. He did not paint a very attractive picture of the school. While James comes from the middle class outside Philly, the school was filled with legacy students and extremely wealthy young people. He talked about and explained the ideology used at that school of business, and he decided that it didn’t work in the long run or sync with his values. It is a great story of how someone truly came to find their passion. The book was also very entertaining and I burst out loud laughing a couple of times.

[Shawn Sigler]

My mother in law gave me this book because she knows that I am Catholic, and she thought that I would enjoy it. I read it because I know that she will ask me to discuss it. But I don't know why the author wrote it.

[Rebecca Stilson]

I’ve listened to a couple other books by this guy, and I know I loved at least one of them, but this just seemed inane and meaningless