This in-depth, page-turning biography of Father Joseph Fessio, S.J., founder of Ignatius Press and the University of San Francisco’s Saint Ignatius Institute, is written by one of Fessio’s earliest Jesuit mentors, historian Father Cornelius Buckley, S.J.

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area during the golden age after World War II, the bold, often reckless Joe Fessio would suddenly enter the Society of Jesus at age twenty and, by divine providence, find himself studying under three of the greatest theological minds of the twentieth century—Henri de Lubac, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI). Over the decades, he would transform into one of the most powerful and energetic forces in the American Catholic Church, designing a pioneering Catholic Great Books program at USF and founding perhaps the largest Catholic publishing house in the English-speaking world.

With many hysterical glimpses into the engine rooms of Catholic institutions, warts and all, this robust yet unsentimental study of Fessio’s unique life, cut with Buckley’s trademark wit, shows what effective Christian missionary work can look like in the age of media.

Includes 32 pages of color photos.

“Father Fessio seems to me the kind of Jesuit that St. Ignatius envisioned: a deeply pious, swashbuckling intellectual and evangelical entrepreneur, determined to set the world ablaze with the fire the Lord Jesus sought to kindle on earth. The Church of the twenty-first century owes a great debt of gratitude to Father Fessio for being that kind of Jesuit.”     
—George Weigel, from the Foreword

“A delightful and intimate account of a very human and holy life.”
—Peter Kreeft, Professor, Boston College 

“The words intrepid, valiant, fearless, protector, risk-taker leap to the forefront whenever Fr. Fessio comes to mind. This biography takes the reader on an odyssey-like journey through his unique life, which includes a teenager's car crash, hitting a baseball out of the park, throwing himself out of an airplane for the good of a soul, building a world-shaping evangelical-catechetical publishing house, and confronting errant priests, bishops, and cardinals with the sword of truth and charity As the drama unfolds, one begins to see how Divine Providence has shaped the man and brought forth astounding fruit from his sacrifices and obedience to his Jesuit charism, his reliance on grace and his perseverance against seeming impossible odds. This Blackrobe has abundantly fed the flock of Christ throughout one of its most shameful periods of confusion and apostasy, becoming a major missionary to darkest North America, indeed to all the Western world—and beyond.”
—Michael O’Brien, Author, Father Elijah

"As the light of Christian faith flickers across the West, one American priest leads on with inimitable brilliance. His name is Fr.  Joseph Fessio. Together with the officer corps at Ignatius Press, he fortifies the Catholic front line with unequaled intellectual firepower.  As Fr. Cornelius Buckley's charming inside account reveals, Fr. Fessio's secret is a single weapon, brandished joyously and without apology: truth."
—Mary Eberstadt, Author, Adam and Eve after the Pill 

“As I went through the chapters, I was impressed by the very good narrative, which is describing a passionate piece of story of the Catholic Church in America through the audacious, uncompromising, devoted personality of Father Fessio, the Founder of the Ignatius Institute and Ignatius Press. The book is helpful to understanding the different souls of American Culture and the Jesuit Order. Many struggles and controversies reflect the confusion of our times, but we remain edified by the steadfastness of a priest who kept answering his own call in a way that is bearing fruit for the Catholic Faith and the Kingdom of God. God bless all those who are bringing forward Ignatius Press!”
—Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Prefect Emeritus, Vatican Dicastery for Bishops

“Many people look at the state of the world and the Church and ask, “Why don’t they …?” What sets Fr. Fessio apart is that he asks, “Why don’t we …?” And then he does it! Fr. Cornelius Buckley’s lively biography chronicles this dedicated Jesuit’s lifelong service to the Gospel and to our Catholic faith. When people tell me, “It can’t be easy being Catholic in San Francisco today,” I respond, “No, it isn’t—but we’ve got Ignatius Press!” You will enjoy getting to know Fr. Fessio and the remarkable people his vision has inspired.”
—Most Rev. Salvatore Cordileone, Archbishop of San Francisco

“One cannot tell the true story of the post-conciliar Church without including the larger-than-life figure of Fr. Joseph Fessio, SJ. From the founding of St. Ignatius Press to the dozens of other initiatives conceived and brought to life by Fr. Fessio, no one has impacted the Catholic Church in America and beyond, like this Jesuit priest. Fr. Buckley’s delightful biography of Fr. Joseph Fessio captures the colorful personality, entrepreneurial vision, and faithful determination, of this extraordinary man in preeminent way. This biography is a must read for anyone who desires to understand this particular time in history.”
—Most Rev. James Conley, Bishop of Lincoln

“Only a close friend and fellow Jesuit could write this book about Fr. Joseph Fessio. Witty prose from an insider's vantage point, Fr. Buckley offers a unsentimental yet fascinating account of this fearless pioneer. Essential reading to appreciate Fr. Fessio's undaunted character and sense of mission, not to mention the impact of his work on the global Catholic scene.”
—Scott Hahn, Author, Rome Sweet Home

“Father Joseph Fessio is a true giant. As a man and a priest, he has been indefatigable and indomitable in his defence of the Faith in a time of trial and turmoil for the Church. His founding and leadership of Ignatius Press would be enough to warrant a place of honour among the great and the good, but he has done so much more. He is a boon and a blessing - and a true inspiration to all who love the Catholic Church. This book is overdue. It needed to be written. It might not be a dream come true, but it is an answer to prayer.”
—Joseph Pearce, Best-selling literary biographer

“In the Gospel parable, workers are called and sent out into the vineyard at various points during the day.  Father Fessio’s long and varied ministry—teacher, founder, retreat master, publisher, confessor—attests eloquently to that work.  But whereas the parable portrays the workers eventually arguing about their pay at the end of the long day, Father Fessio offers no complaint.  Indeed, he is a man completely overwhelmed by the joy of having worked alongside the Lord all day.  And he is eager to go out and do it all again the next day, because he loves the Lord, and he loves the vineyard.”
—Most Rev. Steven Lopes,  Bishop of the Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter

“If you are looking for a man’s man and a man of God, look no further. This breathtaking story of Fr. Joseph Fessio is not only the journey of a profoundly talented and influential priest, but also a journey through a tumultuous time in the life of the Church and how he navigated it superbly with loyalty, godliness and boldness. Knowing Fr. Fessio is to be in the presence of a man bigger than life, yet humble and simple as you’d expect a godly man to be. I am edified and a better man for knowing him. This story will take you on a roller coaster ride through the intimate makings of a hero and his impact on the world and the Church. You won’t be able to set it down. 
—Stephen Ray, Author, Crossing the Tiber

“As a player in the saga of both the St Ignatius Institute and Ignatius Press, I am very grateful for this biography. The riveting story of Fr Joseph Fessio, S.J., has an interest of its own and needed to be told for its own sake. Yet this book is no premature hagiography. The author’s ironic style, his historian’s objectivity, his all-pervasive wit and humor, and his meticulous documentation all keep his subject at arm’s length and never portray him as beyond criticism. Rather, through the multi-facetted instance of “The Fessio Problem”, Buckley seeks to showcase a dramatic reality that is supremely relevant to the whole Church as such: namely, the confrontation between living Catholic faith and “the Iron Rule of the Zeitgeist” as it operates within religious bodies, injecting there an alien ideology. It is curious to note how, at the University of St Francisco, some of Fr Fessio’s greatest allies were secular-minded faculty members who valued quality in education, while the Theology Department merely sneered. Fr Fessio’s visionary initiatives, fearless striving, and fruitful accomplishments reveal what is at stake when self-styled “Catholic” institutions gamble away their sacred trust. In the end, what the reader takes away from this story is the exceptional witness of what the two great virtues of courage and fidelity can attain when put selflessly at the service of Truth.”
—Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis, Author, Fire of Mercy, Heart of the Word

“Fr. Buckley has written a cracking good story that opens a window on the remarkable life experiences and profound faith convictions which shaped a pivotal player in the American Catholic Church – the inimitable Fr. Fessio. Those who, like me, are his former students or colleagues may well be surprised (and certainly entertained) by the fascinating backstories and behind-the-scenes dramas recounted here with insight, warmth and wit.”
—Margaret Turek, S.T.D., Author, Atonement

“Father Fessio S.J. has been a trusted and dear friend for many years. We have formed over eight business partnerships together and I serve on Ignatius Press’s Board of Directors. My hope is that this book will inspire young men and women to consider religious life. Fr. Buckley's captures the essence of Father Fessio's unwavering commitment to the Church, his intellectual brilliance, and his tireless dedication to those who are blessed to call him a friend. This book is a heartfelt tribute to a remarkable priest whose influence has touched countless lives.”
—Mark Middendorf, President, Ave Maria University