Description
Martin Sheen, best known for his role as a Catholic president in the prestigious television series The West Wing, returned to the practice of his Catholic faith at the age of forty after decades away. After years of battling alcohol addiction, a near-fatal heart attack, and a nervous breakdown, the stage, film, and television actor renewed his dedication to his family and activated his faith with energy, grace, and joy.
Through the sacraments, Mass, the rosary, the support of family, and numerous friends and peace and justice activists such as Daniel Berrigan, SJ, and the Catholic Worker Movement, Martin Sheen today sees himself as a man in the pew. He has been arrested more than sixty times for non-violent civil disobedience, speaking out for human rights. Sister Rose Pacatte's unique biography moves beyond tabloid news to include information and inspiring stories gleaned from interviews with Martin Sheen, his sister and brothers, as well as long-time friends.
People of God is a series of inspiring biographies for the general reader. Each volume offers a compelling and honest narrative of the life of an important twentieth or twenty-first century Catholic. Some living and some now deceased, each of these women and men has known challenges and weaknesses familiar to most of us but responded to them in ways that call us to our own forms of heroism. Each offers a credible and concrete witness of faith, hope, and love to people of our own day.
About the Author
Sister Rose Pacatte, FSP,is a Daughter of St. Paul and the founding director of the Pauline Center for Media Studies in Los Angeles. Rose has an MA in Education in Media Studies from the University of London and is a candidate for a Doctorate in Ministry in Pastoral Communications. In addition to being a course designer and facilitator for the University of Dayton's online faith formation program, she is the film columnist for St. Anthony Messenger, and a regular contributor to the National Catholic Reporter on film and popular culture. Her previous book for the People of God series is Martin Sheen: Pilgrim on the Way published by Liturgical Press.
Reviews
It is good to read the story about what drives Martin Sheen, surely a candidate for the nicest guy in Hollywood, and yet spurred by a righteous anger against injustice. Sheen was a celebrity activist before celebrity activism was cool, and it clearly comes from his heart, his faith, and his God. We should feel obliged to Sister Rose for sharing the behind-the-scenes story of what makes this man tick.
Mark Moring, former movies editor, Christianity Today magazine
Wild then broken, only to emerge through the grace of Jesus as his disciple advocating for the vulnerable, marginalized and forgotten. Sister Rose' book portrays a man aware of our human oneness and frailties who stumbles on his ordinary walk of Love. Paying the personal price, surrendering over and over to the tender grace of Christ and by doing so transforming his own life and those he is asked to serve. `I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you invited me in, naked and you clothed me, sick and you looked after me, in prison and you visited me.'" Come and see Martin Sheen.
Michael Harney, actor
Rose Pacatte's Martin Sheen: Pilgrim on the Way is easy to read and packed with new details that even longtime fans of Sheen are not likely to know. Her style is warm and her approach is personal. Sheen emerges as a passionate human being who never stops searching for his true self, which has led him into becoming a man for others.
Frank Frost, Director of Bernardin and other public television programs
Sr. Rose Pacatte's biography of Martin Sheen is a page turner. Sheen's spiritual journey is told against the background of family, acting career, social activism, and internal conflicts. Sr. Rose's intimate detailed account is moving, touching, humorous and real. The reader gets to know Sheen, his struggles and triumphs, his low points in life and the high points. What we get is the story of a pilgrim still on `the way' in his personal and spiritual life. But what a journey!
Ron Schmidt, SJ, Documentary producer, Hope Media Productions
Knowing Martin Sheen through his acting and his Catholic activism, it was a treat to read Rose Pacatte's portrait and delve deeper into the life of this most remarkable man. Pacatte, who knows both the Hollywood and Catholic scenes, is the perfect person to write this book and she does so simply and cleanly. I came away from reading her portrait enriched and more hopeful about human possibilities, about virtue, and the way goodness can break through pain. A true spirit accomplishment.
Tom Fox, National Catholic Reporter Publisher
This little book explores the mosaic of relationships that make up Martin Sheen's life and community. It is nourishing to the spirit to get glimpses of his struggles and hopes in challenging times. His faith and authentic caring shines throughout demonstrating that faith in action is at the heart of his commitment and his craft.
Simone Campbell, SSS, Executive Director NETWORK, Washington, DC
In a world where "celebrity biography" has become synonymous with "scandlous tell-all," Sr. Rose Pacatte delivers something entirely fresh and urgent: a "spiritual biography" of a public figure. Martin Sheen: Pilgrim on the Way does not shy away from the darker moments in the actor's life, but puts them in the broader context of a bold Catholic journey, Sheen's continual search for both social justice and a much more personal truth. We come to understand this remarkably talented man in a way few celebrities allow: as a committed person of faith. Sr. Rose turns our expectations of celebrity upside down, compelling us to view her subject in a unique light.
Joe Ferullo, television executive and columnist for the National Catholic Reporter
Martin Sheen: Pilgrim on the Way is a celebrity biography unlike any other, and for one simple reason: it has a soul. Sister Rose Pacatte captures more than Sheen's well-known career trajectory; she also infuses his story with something akin to grace. More than an actor's rise to fame, this is the story of a pilgrim's progress-a stirring and inspiring glimpse into one man's journey of faith that will resonate with seekers of all kinds.
Deacon Greg Kandra, journalist and blogger, The Deacon's Bench
Book Information
ISBN 9780814637128
Author Rose Pacatte
Format Paperback
Page Count 152
Imprint Liturgical Press
Publisher Liturgical Press
Weight(grams) 179g
Dimensions(mm) 210mm * 137mm * 8mm
Through the sacraments, Mass, the rosary, the support of family, and numerous friends and peace and justice activists such as Daniel Berrigan, SJ, and the Catholic Worker Movement, Martin Sheen today sees himself as a man in the pew. He has been arrested more than sixty times for non-violent civil disobedience, speaking out for human rights. Sister Rose Pacatte's unique biography moves beyond tabloid news to include information and inspiring stories gleaned from interviews with Martin Sheen, his sister and brothers, as well as long-time friends.
People of God is a series of inspiring biographies for the general reader. Each volume offers a compelling and honest narrative of the life of an important twentieth or twenty-first century Catholic. Some living and some now deceased, each of these women and men has known challenges and weaknesses familiar to most of us but responded to them in ways that call us to our own forms of heroism. Each offers a credible and concrete witness of faith, hope, and love to people of our own day.
About the Author
Sister Rose Pacatte, FSP,is a Daughter of St. Paul and the founding director of the Pauline Center for Media Studies in Los Angeles. Rose has an MA in Education in Media Studies from the University of London and is a candidate for a Doctorate in Ministry in Pastoral Communications. In addition to being a course designer and facilitator for the University of Dayton's online faith formation program, she is the film columnist for St. Anthony Messenger, and a regular contributor to the National Catholic Reporter on film and popular culture. Her previous book for the People of God series is Martin Sheen: Pilgrim on the Way published by Liturgical Press.
Reviews
It is good to read the story about what drives Martin Sheen, surely a candidate for the nicest guy in Hollywood, and yet spurred by a righteous anger against injustice. Sheen was a celebrity activist before celebrity activism was cool, and it clearly comes from his heart, his faith, and his God. We should feel obliged to Sister Rose for sharing the behind-the-scenes story of what makes this man tick.
Mark Moring, former movies editor, Christianity Today magazine
Wild then broken, only to emerge through the grace of Jesus as his disciple advocating for the vulnerable, marginalized and forgotten. Sister Rose' book portrays a man aware of our human oneness and frailties who stumbles on his ordinary walk of Love. Paying the personal price, surrendering over and over to the tender grace of Christ and by doing so transforming his own life and those he is asked to serve. `I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you invited me in, naked and you clothed me, sick and you looked after me, in prison and you visited me.'" Come and see Martin Sheen.
Michael Harney, actor
Rose Pacatte's Martin Sheen: Pilgrim on the Way is easy to read and packed with new details that even longtime fans of Sheen are not likely to know. Her style is warm and her approach is personal. Sheen emerges as a passionate human being who never stops searching for his true self, which has led him into becoming a man for others.
Frank Frost, Director of Bernardin and other public television programs
Sr. Rose Pacatte's biography of Martin Sheen is a page turner. Sheen's spiritual journey is told against the background of family, acting career, social activism, and internal conflicts. Sr. Rose's intimate detailed account is moving, touching, humorous and real. The reader gets to know Sheen, his struggles and triumphs, his low points in life and the high points. What we get is the story of a pilgrim still on `the way' in his personal and spiritual life. But what a journey!
Ron Schmidt, SJ, Documentary producer, Hope Media Productions
Knowing Martin Sheen through his acting and his Catholic activism, it was a treat to read Rose Pacatte's portrait and delve deeper into the life of this most remarkable man. Pacatte, who knows both the Hollywood and Catholic scenes, is the perfect person to write this book and she does so simply and cleanly. I came away from reading her portrait enriched and more hopeful about human possibilities, about virtue, and the way goodness can break through pain. A true spirit accomplishment.
Tom Fox, National Catholic Reporter Publisher
This little book explores the mosaic of relationships that make up Martin Sheen's life and community. It is nourishing to the spirit to get glimpses of his struggles and hopes in challenging times. His faith and authentic caring shines throughout demonstrating that faith in action is at the heart of his commitment and his craft.
Simone Campbell, SSS, Executive Director NETWORK, Washington, DC
In a world where "celebrity biography" has become synonymous with "scandlous tell-all," Sr. Rose Pacatte delivers something entirely fresh and urgent: a "spiritual biography" of a public figure. Martin Sheen: Pilgrim on the Way does not shy away from the darker moments in the actor's life, but puts them in the broader context of a bold Catholic journey, Sheen's continual search for both social justice and a much more personal truth. We come to understand this remarkably talented man in a way few celebrities allow: as a committed person of faith. Sr. Rose turns our expectations of celebrity upside down, compelling us to view her subject in a unique light.
Joe Ferullo, television executive and columnist for the National Catholic Reporter
Martin Sheen: Pilgrim on the Way is a celebrity biography unlike any other, and for one simple reason: it has a soul. Sister Rose Pacatte captures more than Sheen's well-known career trajectory; she also infuses his story with something akin to grace. More than an actor's rise to fame, this is the story of a pilgrim's progress-a stirring and inspiring glimpse into one man's journey of faith that will resonate with seekers of all kinds.
Deacon Greg Kandra, journalist and blogger, The Deacon's Bench
Book Information
ISBN 9780814637128
Author Rose Pacatte
Format Paperback
Page Count 152
Imprint Liturgical Press
Publisher Liturgical Press
Weight(grams) 179g
Dimensions(mm) 210mm * 137mm * 8mm
