I'm super disappointed that I won't be one of the many people to attend Patrick's talk this weekend and get the chance to meet him. Our family has multiple conflicts Friday and Saturday. But many of my friends will be there to hear him speak, and I look forward to hearing all about it from them.
But I am happy to be able to write about Patrick Madrid's newest book, Envoy for Christ: 25 Years as a Catholic Apologist. I've had a copy for awhile, but didn't get the chance to read through it until about a month ago.
I've read Patrick Madrid's work since I subscribed to Envoy magazine back in the 1990s. I have always enjoyed his work, and loved the magazine and found it a great way to grow my faith as a young mom. I recall the Top 10 lists, quizzes, or other humor that were great for a laugh. The graphic design and "feel" to the magazine was first-rate.
Madrid has a popular blog that I admit I don't visit often enough, as it's a great resource and source of reflection and encouragement. (Note to Patrick Madrid: add an e-mail subscribe button to your blog!). It's just top-notch.
I must confess that one of the reasons that I didn't turn to the book is concern it wouldn't be as great as I remembered Envoy magazine to be. Maybe it wouldn't measure up to my memories, like going back to the house you grew up in and finding it much different.
But Envoy for Christ is great. I recommend it highly. It's especially good for busy moms and dads who might not have time to read a full-length book, but would benefit from the short chapters on different subjects Madrid tackles.
Envoy for Christ would also be appealing to people like me, who might have fond memories of reading Envoy back in the day, or who have following Patrick Madrid through his radio show or elsewhere. Madrid tells the story of how he got into the "apologetics" business (can I call it a business?), and I love hearing those kinds of stories.
In addition, Envoy for Christ would be great just to have around the house for younger people to pick up. At our house, I will often tell others, "this is a really good book," and then leave it out for them to pick up when they get the chance. Often this leads to great discussions.
My one quibble with Envoy for Christ is that I wish it were a little more well-sourced. After many of the chapters, where the essay originally appears is listed--perhaps Envoy or another catechetical magazine. But some are not sourced, and so it leaves me hanging a little--is that from his blog, or some online writing, or is this original to that book?
Otherwise, this is a terrific read.
One humorous aside: while writing this post, several times I mistakenly wrote "Envy" instead of "Envoy," and since it's a word, it wasn't auto-corrected. I had to chuckle a little at a book titled, "Envy for Christ." I think I caught all of my too-fast typing mistakes, but in case I didn't, there you go.
Are you going to see Patrick Madrid this weekend?
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