Fireworks

by Jerry Ryan, Patrick Jordan (Editor)

From a foundry floor in Chile during the 1973 coup to an aquarium in Boston, from the cottage of a Catholic priest in France to the Russian Orthodox church down the block, Jerry Ryan sought God's presence everywhere. Often, he found it in "unlikely and quarrelsome prophets," in ordinary acts of bravery and love performed by those with no institutional power, with no special saintly status. For almost fifty years, Jerry Ryan wrote about these encounters with humility, honesty, and humor.

This collection of Ryan's writing seeks to uncover "unfamiliar manifestations of the truth, which can offer itself to us under various disguises," many of which are difficult to observe or bear, others of which are unexpectedly beautiful. Ryan's love of learning, of neighbor, and of God shines throughout his work; he is accessible even when discussing complex aspects of theology, and never afraid to demand accountability from the Church hierarchy. Reading his work, one can't help but be delighted and challenged by the grandeur of the quotidian, inspired to think more clearly and live more thoughtfully.

166 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2020

Reviews

[Ryan McSweeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

“What I do hope to find in the Father’s house -and try to imagine- is the restoration of all that is beautiful and pure in people and in their works, the fulfillment of old friendships known and the discovery of the discrete links that have made my own joy possible. That would indeed be life everlasting.”

Shoutout to my neighbor Ed for giving me this! Loved hearing about Jerry Ryan’s many lives and all he’s learned along the way. And his open-minded view of the church and the humility of his own faith was really refreshing to hear. You live in southie and work at the Boston Aquarium for 30+ years, of course you’re gonna be the man!