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Hard as Nails: A Mission to Awaken Youth to the Power of God's Love
Justin Fatica, a dynamic twenty-nine-year-old, is spreading the Catholic faith with an intense, in-your-face approach that eclipses that of even the most passionate preachers of any denomination. The subject of a recent HBO documentary, Fatica is known for his electric presence in front of groups large and small, showing an emotional range from joy to anger, calmness to fervent pleas—all meant to inspire his audience to break free from whatever burdens they may have. In an era where Catholic-church attendance is waning, the success of Justin’s exploding Hard as Nails ministries is a welcome, if sometimes controversial, means of reaching the spiritually hungry.
Fatica offers a message of hope for all ages, and especially for the growing number of youth who feel displaced and lost. While some are just getting used to Justin Fatica’s style, there is little doubt that this dynamic, charismatic preacher will continue to draw attention for his radical and passionate ways of spreading the gospel.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
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13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 18, 2020
I'll be honest - I picked this up because the things I'd read and seen about Justin Fatica's ministry hadn't made me a fan, and I wanted to see his own words to see if that changed. I can't say it did much, though I do see more of his heart and goals. I think his enthusiasm is commendable, as is his desire to help the youth with the many problems that are around today.
I greatly dislike all the yelling and theatrics. He calls it intensity and says it's just how he is and that he's intense because he cares so much. However, one can be intense and authentic without yelling at people and without having youth recreate the crucifixion with themselves being the ones living out the Stations of the Cross. I'm not talking about acting it out, as so many youth groups do, but he described it as blindfolding them and yelling at them as they go through the stations so they can feel even a fraction of what Jesus felt. I have no desire for my children or myself to be psychologically manipulated in that way. Now, it is obviously good to remember what Jesus did/does for us, certainly, I just don't feel the need for it to go that far.
Back to the yelling for a moment. I know my views on this are probably colored by my own background. I grew up Southern Baptist, and the first pastor I can remember was one who yelled his entire sermon every week. He was certainly intense. Did he inspire conversions? Not that I'm aware. Many people, myself included, simply tuned him out. This is normal, as most of us tune out anyone who is yelling at us all the time. We don't interpret their yelling as love or intensity, but as anger. At least that's how it often comes off to me. So yelling just immediately turns me off, as I don't see how it helps people come to Jesus.
There was even a comment he included where a priest encouraged his style by saying that the Protestants have events like this, but the Catholics don't. I think this is the wrong approach. When I converted, it wasn't because the music at the parish was like a Protestant praise band, but because of the Eucharist. I don't think the right approach is for the Church to take things that Protestants do and use those same things necessarily, but to truly live out our Catholic faith.
There is not just one way to do this, of course. I would say that all of the Saints have been intense. Some have been fiery preachers, perhaps like Fatica. Many others have had the quiet intensity of living out their faith quietly, but no less intensely, like St Thèrése.
Last note - I do like some of his responses to letters at the end of the book, where he shows his love of others. His call to show love to all those around us and to purposefully seek out some from different backgrounds is definitely needed.
I greatly dislike all the yelling and theatrics. He calls it intensity and says it's just how he is and that he's intense because he cares so much. However, one can be intense and authentic without yelling at people and without having youth recreate the crucifixion with themselves being the ones living out the Stations of the Cross. I'm not talking about acting it out, as so many youth groups do, but he described it as blindfolding them and yelling at them as they go through the stations so they can feel even a fraction of what Jesus felt. I have no desire for my children or myself to be psychologically manipulated in that way. Now, it is obviously good to remember what Jesus did/does for us, certainly, I just don't feel the need for it to go that far.
Back to the yelling for a moment. I know my views on this are probably colored by my own background. I grew up Southern Baptist, and the first pastor I can remember was one who yelled his entire sermon every week. He was certainly intense. Did he inspire conversions? Not that I'm aware. Many people, myself included, simply tuned him out. This is normal, as most of us tune out anyone who is yelling at us all the time. We don't interpret their yelling as love or intensity, but as anger. At least that's how it often comes off to me. So yelling just immediately turns me off, as I don't see how it helps people come to Jesus.
There was even a comment he included where a priest encouraged his style by saying that the Protestants have events like this, but the Catholics don't. I think this is the wrong approach. When I converted, it wasn't because the music at the parish was like a Protestant praise band, but because of the Eucharist. I don't think the right approach is for the Church to take things that Protestants do and use those same things necessarily, but to truly live out our Catholic faith.
There is not just one way to do this, of course. I would say that all of the Saints have been intense. Some have been fiery preachers, perhaps like Fatica. Many others have had the quiet intensity of living out their faith quietly, but no less intensely, like St Thèrése.
Last note - I do like some of his responses to letters at the end of the book, where he shows his love of others. His call to show love to all those around us and to purposefully seek out some from different backgrounds is definitely needed.
September 24, 2022
Inspirational and eye opening
February 1, 2011
So I think Justin is a fantastic witness and a true man of God. In fact we all need his passion.
I think I expected something different from this book, thus the 3 stars. I was hoping for more about him and more teaching and more witness, but it was more like a how to guide to setting up and running a hard as nails ministry team or youth meeting. Definitely worth reading for anyone considering this or in need of example but not what I was looking for.
I think I expected something different from this book, thus the 3 stars. I was hoping for more about him and more teaching and more witness, but it was more like a how to guide to setting up and running a hard as nails ministry team or youth meeting. Definitely worth reading for anyone considering this or in need of example but not what I was looking for.
January 18, 2015
I really loved the beginning of the book and his telling of his personal story. However, I wasn't really interested in reading so much on his ministries specifically. I was expecting more of a Christian empowerment and awakening novel.
October 24, 2013
Mr Fatica was one of our religion teachers in high school so knowing him was an added bonus when I read his book! It was wonderful and I loved it a lot
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews