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My ‘Firstborn’ Turns One Today!

Posted in Dating God Book, Francis of Assisi and the Future of Faith, Franciscan Spirituality with tags , , , , , , , on February 7, 2013 by Daniel P. Horan, OFM

Dating_God_BookOne year ago today my first book, Dating God: Live and Love in the Way of St. Francis (2012), was released! It’s hard to believe that a year has passed by already. On the one hand, it seems like the book has been out much longer than that and one year doesn’t quite account for how much of my thought, time, and energy has gone into the book itself, discussing themes in the book with groups and retreatants, delivering lectures about it, signing copies of it, and so on. On the other hand, it also seems like the book was just released yesterday! Just around six months after the book came out, my publisher, Franciscan Media (formerly St. Anthony Messenger Press), informed me that the book was going into its second printing — a great sign that people seem to be enjoying the book and spreading the word.

It’s been quite a blessing to receive such positive responses to the book. It has served as the occasion for connecting with so many wonderful people in different settings, including the launch of this blog about a year before the book was released. Some people have mistakingly thought that the book arose from this blog, but in fact it was the other way around. After I received the contract for Dating God, my publisher insisted that I have some sort of ‘online presence,’ which is, in all honesty, the only choice an author has these days. It’s generally expected that there be something out there like this. So, reluctantly at first, I began what became DatingGod.org, this very blog. To my surprise, it took off and became (and is still becoming) more popular by the day. As with the feedback and reception of the book, I’m incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support, enthusiasm, and appreciation people express about this blog on a daily basis.

Since the release of Dating God: Live and Love in the Way of St. Francis lots of other projects, some that were concurrently in the works and others that have arisen since then, have occupied my time and energy. Just seven months after my first book was released, my second book, Francis of Assisi and the Future of Faith: Exploring Franciscan Spirituality and Theology in the Modern World (2012) came out! The response to this book, published by a great family-owned Catholic press in the Southwest, has also been extraordinarily positive and enthusiastic. The style of this book is quite different from Dating God even if the theme is generally the same (i.e., the Franciscan tradition). It is a collection of essays that includes both popular and scholarly pieces that address the Franciscan tradition in ways that help uncover Franciscan spirituality and theology’s relevance for today.

Additionally, at the turn of the New Year a third book of mine was released. This is, unlike Dating God, actually connected to the blog. Franciscan Spirituality for the 21st Century: Selected Reflections from the Dating God Blog and Other Essays (2013) is exactly what is suggests: several of the most popular (and, at times, controversial) selections from the blog as well as other pieces that have stirred up interest and attention. This is another way that material from the blog can be accessed by a wider audience. The second volume of this collection is underway and is scheduled to be out in 2014.

While my “firstborn” turns one today, there are other literary siblings slated to joint the book family in the next few years. Some of these texts are finished and others are at various stages underway. To give you a sense of what is on the horizon, here is a glimpse of my upcoming books, their publishers, and their anticipated release.

  • Love and Suffering: A Retreat on the Seven Last Words of Christ (Franciscan Media, 2013)
  • The Franciscan Heart of Thomas Merton: A New Look at the Spiritual Influence of His Life, Thought, and Writing (Ave Maria Press, 2014)
  • Postmodernity and Univocity: A Critical Assessment of Radical Orthodoxy’s Use of John Duns Scotus (Fortress Press, 2014)
  • Refresh My Soul: A New Look at 25 Classic Catholic Prayers (Franciscan Media, 2015)

These are each exciting projects and different in many ways. As you might see from the list above, one of my forthcoming books is a scholarly text published by an excellent academic press — I don’t necessarily anticipate it getting the same widespread interest as Dating God, my firstborn, but it will be a significant contribution to what continues to be a very important conversation within contemporary theological circles. Perhaps you might want to check that out next year.

All of this updating and celebrating is to say “Thank You!” to everyone who continues to be so supportive and enthusiastic about my writing and other work and ministry. I’m very grateful and hope to be able to continue sharing my reflections, thoughts, research, and the like with you all for many years to come!

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Got Books? Some Shameless Advertising

Posted in Dating God Book, Francis of Assisi and the Future of Faith with tags , , , , , , on December 29, 2012 by Daniel P. Horan, OFM

December2012_WebAdIf you’re like me, you might find yourself with a gift card or two for bookstores like Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble after the Christmas and broader-holiday season. In the event that you’re looking for something to purchase with those acquired and restricted monies, let me shamelessly call your attention to some of my recent books that have been released during the past year, including the newest one, Franciscan Spirituality for the 21st Century: Selected Reflections from the Dating God Blog and Other Essays (2013) — if you’re a fan of this blog, I can guarantee that you’ll be a fan of this book!

I readily admit to this plug as shameless for two reasons. The first is that, as any of you who have published a book or released some sort of media (musicians, visual artists, etc.) realize, the more embarrassing and challenging part of that work or ministry is to be a part-time spokesperson for the said product. It’s just the name of the game.  The second reason this is shameless advertising is that I don’t personally benefit from the sale of any of these books, rather all royalties and proceeds go directly to my province of the Franciscan Order, so you can rest assured that any gift cards or money spent on these books goes to a great cause.

Here are some links to the ways you can get ahold of these books. You can also order them from any local or independent bookstore if they don’t already have them in stock. Thanks again for checking them out and I hope you enjoy them and spread the word! Let me know what you think — I always appreciate the feedback!

Dating God: Live and Love in the Way of St. Francis (2012)

From Amazon.com [Paperback, Kindle, Audio CD]

From Barnes & Noble [Paperback, Nook, Audio CD]

From Franciscan Media [Paperback, Audio CD]

From iTunes [Audio Version, eBook for iPad]

Francis of Assisi and the Future of Faith: Exploring Franciscan Spirituality and Theology in the Modern World (2012)

From the Tau Publishing [Paperback]

From Amazon.com [Kindle] [Paperback]

From Barnes & Noble [Nook]

From iTunes [iPad Book]

Franciscan Spirituality for the 21st Century: Selected Reflections from the Dating God Blog and Other Essays (2013)

From Amazon.com [Paperback, Kindle]

From Barnes & Noble [Paperback]

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Giving a Retreat this Weekend for New England Young Adults

Posted in Franciscan Spirituality, Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , on October 12, 2012 by Daniel P. Horan, OFM

This weekend I am in Hingham, Mass., giving a retreat at the Benedictine Glastonbury Abbey. The retreat, geared for women and men in Boston in their twenties and thirties, is titled “Being Catholic in the 21st Century.” This is the third year in a row that I’ve been humbled by the invitation and honored to lead the 20s/30s Boston annual retreat. I’m especially excited to reconnect with folks I haven’t seen in while and to discuss, reflect, and pray about the retreat theme about which I asked to speak.

I don’t wont to spoil the surprise for those who are attending this retreat with the particular details of three sessions of the retreat, but I can share that during this week when we celebrate the opening of the Second Vatican Council fifty years ago, being a “Catholic” in today’s world needs to be understood as always flowing from our ecclesial identity expressed by the Council — particularly in terms of Gaudium et Spes, which directly addresses this question of what it means to live a life of faith in the ‘modern world.’

Much more to come on this weekend. Perhaps there will be internet access (and time) for me to update you along the way. In the meantime, Peace and all Good!

Photo: Glastonbury Abbey

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Dan’s New Book Now Available for Pre-Order!

Posted in Francis of Assisi and the Future of Faith, Franciscan Spirituality, Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , on September 18, 2012 by Daniel P. Horan, OFM

Dan’s latest book, Francis of Assisi and the Future of Faith (Tau Publishing, 2012), is now available for pre-order from the publisher with shipping to come in the next couple weeks. Here is the book description:

“Nearly eight-hundred-years after his death, St. Francis of Assisi remains the most popular saint in all of Christianity. He continues to inspire women and men of all ages, all backgrounds, and from all religious traditions; but how much do people know about the actual spirituality and theology of this great saint? What does this medieval man from Italy, and the religious movement he founded, have to say to a complex, globalized, technologically advanced, and modern world?

Daniel P. Horan, OFM, in his latest book, Francis of Assisi and the Future of Faith, answers these questions and more. Returning to the sources and the best of contemporary scholarship, Horan presents a multifaceted approach to questions about the rich meaning and deep significance of the Franciscan spiritual and theological tradition for our present day in three parts.

Engaging topics as diverse as the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, evangelization in the digital age on Facebook and elsewhere, uniquely Franciscan approaches to ministry, as well as other themes, Horan dedicates the first part of the book to presenting the contemporary relevance of the Franciscan tradition for the modern world in an intelligent and accessible way. In the second part of the book, Horan presents illuminating original research and introduces readers to a wealth of insight and inspiration found in the broader Franciscan spiritual and theological tradition. The last part of the book features an exciting introduction to the influence of the Franciscan tradition on Pope Benedict XVI and in-depth look at the pope’s twelve public addresses on the Franciscan tradition.”

Read More…

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Moving Time Hiatus: Will Be Back Soon

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , on August 9, 2012 by Daniel P. Horan, OFM

This is just a little update to let regular readers of DatingGod.org know that there has been some radio silence here because  I’m in the process of moving from Washington, DC to Boston this week. Therefore time is a little more limited during these days, but I hope to have the site up and running as usual in a few days. Thank you for your understanding and patience! Wishing you all the best — Peace and good!

Photo: Stock

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Taking a Short Break for a Little “fun.”

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , on August 3, 2012 by Daniel P. Horan, OFM

Even friars need to take a break now and then. Yes, even American friars. The National Catholic Reporter columnist John Allen began his latest piece this week with the funny reference to the typically Roman saying about the caricature of workaholism that plagues US citizens: “An old Roman quip holds that the only things moving during August are cani e americani, meaning dogs and Americans.” In the spirit of the Italian ferragosto, the traditional August summer holiday season, I spent a sweltering hot day hanging out with some friends in the “city of brotherly love” and taking in a very entertaining, sold-out concert by the indie rock band fun.

Those who have read DatingGod.org for a while might have picked up on a few of my personal likes and dislikes — my rabid enthusiasm for my alma mater‘s men’s and women’s basketball teams (St. Bonaventure University), my particular appreciation for the musician Jason Mraz (who I’ve now seen 10 times in concert, the 11th concert coming up in a few weeks), and other idiosyncratic dimensions of Dan Horan. Add to that list my like of the band fun., especially live.

Most people are likely familiar with their radio-hit “We Are Young,” which was featured on the television show Glee, a popular 2012 Super Bowl commercial, and maintained a top-billboard spot for six weeks during the Spring.

What most people aren’t likely to know is that this is, at least in my opinion, not their best song (although it’s anthem-like rhythm and popularity makes it a crowd-pleaser no less). In fact, while I like many of their songs, I most appreciate each of their albums (they have two studio releases so far) as a collective whole.

They’ve been compared to the renowned classic-rock band Queen, and with good reason. Although Nate Ruess, the lead singer and frontman of fun. is no Freddie Mercury (as my friend aptly, if obviously, said yesterday), but then again there really is no one comparable, the stylistic similarities and diversity of the setlist is unmistakably evocative of their 70s British predecessor.

Both of fun.‘s albums to date, Aim and Ignite and Some Nights, each begin with elaborate songs that serve as overtures for the collection that follows. The songs are, by and large, very catchy but creative in their rhythmic variations and composition (a feat well played given that Nate, the lead singer, does not read music nor play an instrument, suggesting some serious teamwork).

In an age when chart-topping singles and individual song-downloads on iTunes has eclipsed the 1970s and 1980s emphasis on creating an album that was an integrated whole work of art, fun. stands as a notable exception and a breath of fresh air. That, and their live performances still bear the wonder and enthusiasm of a start-up band not yet used to fame, glory, and entitlement. It was very touching at points during the show in Philadelphia last night when Nate was made speechless by the experience of performing in front of such an enthusiastic and large crowd. Things have definitely changed for the group.

So, you can add fun. to the list of curious aspects of my personality of which you are now aware. I encourage you to check them out, but there are no guarantees that you’ll share my personal musical tastes. For, as the saying goes: De gustibus non est disputandum; or, to put it more colloquially, “to each their own!”

Photo: 930 Club, Washington DC

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‘Dating God’ Book now available on BN Nook e-Reader!

Posted in Dating God Book with tags , , , , , , , , , on June 30, 2012 by Daniel P. Horan, OFM

For those who prefer to read their books on the Barnes & Noble Nook e-reader, good news! Dating God: Live and Love in the Way of St. Francis is now available in the Nook format. It’s initial price is a very low $8.39 for the Nook download. This additional format marks the last of the major forms of accessing the book. You can now purchase Dating God and read it in paperback, for the Kindle, for the iPad, for the Nook, and in audiobook format via CD, iTunes or audible.com!

If you haven’t yet picked up your copy and you own a Nook, take advantage of the initial BN discounted Nook price today and enjoy Dating God: Live and Love in the Way of St. Francis!

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SBU Honors Seminar in Interreligious Dialogue

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , on June 29, 2012 by Daniel P. Horan, OFM

Greetings to all who have been waiting patiently for the latest post here on Dating God. My apologies for the delay in getting the regular content up here, things have been extraordinarily busy these last few days and will continue to be so for the next two weeks. I hope, nonetheless, to post periodically during this time, if on a slightly reduced schedule.

The reason I am not as available to comment on the many things that are happening in the world (such as the recent supreme court decisions) and to reflect on the daily scripture that I try to share a few times a week is that I’m currently at St. Bonaventure University in Western New York co-teaching an undergraduate Honors Seminar in Interreligious Dialogue that runs for two weeks and is rather intensive. This is a unique program that is jointly sponsored by St. Bonaventure and the Chautaqua Institution. In addition to the significant reading and seminar requirements, faculty lectures from me and Prof. Susan Abraham, from Harvard Divinity School and fellow instructor, the students will spend a week at the Chautauqua Institution attending an array of lectures, participate in worship services, experience creative and musical performances, and have the opportunity to meet as a class with some world-renown speakers in the area of inter-faith work and dialogue.

We have students from four universities in New York and Pennsylvania participating in the pilot program of this course. It is a wonderful group of bright and enthusiastic students, and it is a privilege to work along with Prof. Abraham in teaching and facilitating this program. This course is the creative idea of St. Bonaventure University’s president, Sr. Margaret Carney, OSF, and the whole theology department, school of arts and sciences and university-wide community is delighted to be running this program. Hopefully it will continue in summers to follow, drawing more students from various schools to come learn, share, grow intellectually and spiritually, and forge connections that help advance interreligious understanding, dialogue and cooperation.

Photo: SBU

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Announcing New Book with New Publisher

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , on May 16, 2012 by Daniel P. Horan, OFM

I’m very excited to announce that I’ve signed an agreement with a new publisher for a new book. This marks what will be my third book in two years. As you know, the first, Dating God: Live and Love in the Way of St. Francis (St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2012), was released this past February. I also have another book set for publication in 2013 with Franciscan Media, the parent company for the imprint St. Anthony Messenger Press. The working title for that book is, Love and Suffering: A Retreat on the Last Words of Christ (St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2013).

This new book, tentatively titled Francis of Assisi and the Future of Faith: Exploring Franciscan Spirituality and Theology in the Modern World (Phoenix: Tau Publishing, 2012), is a different kind of book from the two books published by St. Anthony Messenger Press in that it is slightly more academic, although still written in an accessible style, and it is quite a bit longer than the other two. Francis of Assisi and the Future of Faith contains thirteen essays about the Franciscan spiritual and theological tradition, including themes like Christology, spirituality in a digital age, a Franciscan understanding of death, among others. What makes this book particularly exciting is the unique approach that highlights the insight of the Franciscan tradition, while exploring the ways it remains relevant to us today.

Most people may not have heard of Tau Publishing yet, a relatively new (founded in 2002) and small publishing house headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. It is a family owned and operated business that has published an impressive range of Catholic books over the last ten years. It’s focus is primarily Franciscan and its catalog includes some very well-known Franciscan authors including Murray Bodo, OFM, André Cirino, OFM, Zachary Hayes, OFM, Teresa Downing, OSC, Susan Saint Sing, Kenan Osborne, OFM, and others. I am delighted to join the company of such great writers.

Despite its relatively small size when compared to other Catholic publishers (such as St. Anthony Messenger Press, Paulist Press, Orbis Books, and the like), it has an impressive reach. To illustrate this point, when I was recently in Europe, I saw Tau Publishing books for sale in England and Italy. I also saw a wide range of Tau Publishing books at a retreat center bookstore in New York last week. (While my book, Dating God, was in stock in England, it was noticeably absent in Italy and this retreat center — the manager of the retreat-center store told me they’re planning to stock it soon, though).

I’m very excited to be working with Tau Publishing for a variety of reasons. First among them is the business model that its publisher, Jeff Campbell, and his staff embrace. Committed to values like sustainability and community-building, Tau Publishing values the customer-publisher relationship in an impressive way. While its books are listed on Amazon.com, for example, they appear as one among several distributors of the texts (under the “buy from these sellers” link), so that Tau Publishing is the one who ships and engages with the customer service directly. They work with Amazon and Barnes & Noble to sell their books in Kindle and Nook formats, but they are committed to direct selling and promoting small businesses such as local bookstores, retreat centers and the like. This naturally has a downside — as an author, it is easy to promote books through Amazon, a site most people are already accessing on a regular basis. But the upside is the commitment to local businesses and the avoidance of large monopoly-like corporations (with the exception of e-book distribution). I think it’s a worthy tradeoff.

Another thing that is really neat about Tau Publishers is that it operates its own press in addition to the publishing-side of the operation. What this means on a practical level for the customer is not much except for the fact that the costs are kept low (hence very reasonably priced books!). For those in the publishing industry, this is an impressive and somewhat novel (or perhaps, more accurately, ‘retro’) model. Tau Publishing maintains seamless control from the acquisitions department to editing and design to actual printing and binding of the texts. Most big publishers do all the front work (acquisitions, editing, design, etc.), but outsource the physical printing and binding of books to other printing companies and then keep big stocks of books in warehouses. Tau Publishing can maintain a small stock at any given time, keeping warehousing costs minimal, because they can run another cycle of printing when needed.

All in all, this is an exciting move and publishing partnership! I will continue to work with some of the big publishing houses in the years to come (in fact, I’m currently in conversation with one of the larger publishers about one of the two current book projects in the works), but I also hope to be able to work with Tau Publishing into the future with projects that fit well with its mission.

Stay tuned for more details to come!

Photo: Stock

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