Doyle introduces the first volume in this series by attempting to answer the question, "What is Catholic writing?" His gleanings from books and such Catholic periodicals as America
, Commonweal
, First Things
, National Catholic Reporter
, St. Anthony Messenger
and U.S. Catholic
elaborate more fully on the question, but Doyle makes clear at the outset that he prefers to define the genre broadly. To be Catholic, he posits, writing need not necessarily be by Catholics or even about what he calls "churchiana." Rather, he suggests, "Catholic is also, delightfully, miraculously, catholic." For him, anything that grapples with the larger questions of human existence qualifies. Thus, included in this collection are Kathleen Norris's "The Grace of Aridity, & Other Comedies," an essay drawn from life on South Dakota's plains and published in Portland Magazine
(which Doyle edits), as well as Murray Bodo's "Holy Orders," a rich and thoughtful reflection on life as a Franciscan priest. There are poems by Judith Valente, Paul Mariani and Doyle, essays by priests and lay people and an address to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Despite Doyle's wide boundaries, most of the works are laced with Catholic imagery; more importantly, all are examples of good writing. Doyle has chosen well and readers who delve into this inaugural volume likely will look forward to the 2005 edition. (Oct.)
