Praise for <em>Vulnerable Faith</em>

Now Featured in the Patheos Book Club
Vulnerable Faith:
Missional Living in the Radical Way of St. Patrick
By Jamie Arpin-Ricci

"The urgency of the invitation to each of us in Vulnerable Faith cannot be ignored. In a world of terror and hatred, of protection and retaliation, it is a bold and important reminder to Christians of the radical nature of our witness as followers of Jesus. He is the Word made flesh, the vulnerable incarnation of God's love for each and every one of us. And it is in a relationship of mutual vulnerability with the One who loves us that we will be able to grow to freedom, that God's desire and our hope of shalom will be realized."

—Jean Vanier, from the foreword

"Jamie is an expert storyteller who with compassion and imagination seamlessly weaves together the old and the new, the saint and the sinner, the practical wisdom of the 12 Steps with the timeless wisdom of the Scriptures. But his greatest feat in Vulnerable Faith is showing how transformative spirituality can be woven into the context of restorative community, where it belongs. Using the life of Saint Patrick as his guide, Jamie paves a way for all of us – on our own and in community – to approach a vulnerability worthy of our redemption. Vulnerable Faith is a primer on authentic community, a personal devotional book, and an insightful look into the human heart, all in one"

—Amy Hollingsworth, author of The Simple Faith of Mister Rogers and Runaway Radical

"In Vulnerable Faith, the life of St. Patrick meets the spirituality of the 12 steps. It is a surprising, potent and challenging combination, one that Jamie Arpin-Ricci uses to profound effect in setting before us a vision of Christian community characterized by loving vulnerability, sacrificial generosity and a radical welcome of the stranger into the Shalom of God's Kingdom. An inspiring and life-changing book."

—Richard Beck, author Unclean and Slavery of Death

"In this age of self-reliance and faux invincibility, the spiritual discipline of vulnerability is a rare thing indeed. Gently and yet provocatively, Jamie Arpin-Ricci, uses the life and teaching of St. Patrick to show us that it is only through accepting our common weakness, our brokenness and our unequivocal need for grace that we can find the opportunity for fullness of life and true freedom."

—Michael Frost, author, Incarnate

"Vulnerable Faith is an invitation to radical faithfulness found in willing vulnerability. Jamie Arpin-Ricci guides readers through a process of transformation, which exposes our pretense and promises new life through and beyond the cross of Christ. Using the conversion of St. Patrick to illustrate this process, readers experience St. Paul's words, 'When we are weak, then we are strong.'"

—Sister Helen Prejean, C.S.J., author, Dead Man Walking

"In Vulnerable Faith, Jamie Arpin-Ricci has found a unique way to blend the life struggles of St Patrick to help us restore our own dilemma of neglected discipleship. Referencing the 12 Steps model, the reality of Patrick's life and the need for Christ in our own lives slowly unfolds into an understanding of how Christ fulfills shalom in all the areas of our lives. We all need this book."

—Randy Woodley, author, Shalom and the Community of Creation: An Indigenous Vision

"Jamie Arpin-Ricci knows only too well that spiritual growth and transformation are the result of God's grace. In Vulnerable Faith, he masterfully shows how the 12 steps help facilitate an openness to God with the life of St. Patrick as our guiding example. I heartily recommend this book to anyone interested in teaching that has stood the test of time."

—Albert Haase, O.F.M., author of Catching Fire, Becoming Flame: A Guide for Spiritual Transformation

"If you are intrigued by the life of early Celtic leader, St. Patrick, and if you see a need for transformation in your own life, Vulnerable Faith is your invitation to take some time to explore what greater faithfulness in the people of God might look like. Jamie juxtaposes the life of Patrick with lessons learned from Alcoholics Anonymous' 12 step program in a way that is both refreshing and challenging. This book is not for the faint hearted but rather for those who want to take steps deeper into the love of God. I loved it, was inspired by it and recommend it to all who take their faith seriously."

—Christine Sine, author Return To Our Senses: Reimagining How We Pray

"With creativity, skill, vulnerability, and insight Jamie Arpin-Ricci reintroduces readers to the risk of Christian faith, the hope of prophetic witness, and the true reward of costly grace for our time. St. Patrick and the tenets of the 12 step program of Alcoholics Anonymous serve as new and inspiring companions as Arpin-Ricci guides us along the path toward renewing our commitment to be missionary disciples of Christ."

—Daniel P. Horan, OFM, author, The Franciscan Heart of Thomas Merton