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S t ude nt n e ws
“Tattoos on the Heart” brings together a series of stories
taken from Fr. Boyle’s life working with gang members in
Los Angeles over the past 20 years. Arranged by theme,
the essays meld humor – with examples of funny banter
between the Jesuit and his “homies” – and sorrow – relating
stories of more than 150 young people that Fr. Boyle has
buried as a result of gang-related violence. In the end, the
book is a surprisingly jubilant memoir about universal
kinship, the importance of being men and women for and
with others, and the power of unconditional love.
“This book relates so well to the ministries at Canisius High
School with its message on the great beauty of kinship that
is formed in community,” Fr. Pecoraro notes. “It offers the
same shoulder to shoulder experience our students see when
they work on a Habitat for Humanity house or when they
serve others on an immersion trip.”
Fr. Pecoraro offers some explanation to the origins of the
book’s title as he describes his duties during the six months
he worked with Homeboy Industries. He says he had many
responsibilities whereby he interacted with gang members,
including a program in which the organization recruits
doctors to volunteer to remove gang members’ tattoos, as
a way of breaking down barriers to a job. At one point in
the book, after receiving from Fr. Boyle a very positive
compliment, one of the homies tells the Jesuit, “I’m gonna
tattoo that on my heart.” It is a reflection of the impact of
Fr. Boyle’s work and how it leaves tattoos of God’s love on the
hearts of those he helps. Fr. Boyle lists Fr. Pecoraro among
those the author thanks in the acknowledgements at the end
of the book.
Fr. Boyle brings his message
to Canisius
As part of the One School, One Book program, Canisius
students were treated to a presentation by Fr. Boyle
during the first week of school in September. Trustees
and benefactors were then invited to a dinner and talk by
Fr. Boyle. Faculty and staff attended a one-day retreat
at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora where the author
also spoke.
Fr. Boyle shared anecdotes and stories fromhis bookwith the
students and paraphrased Martin Luther King as he reflected
on the Jesuit tradition of the school saying, “Canisius High
School is not a place you go to; it is a place you come from.”
He spoke about being men for and with others, describing
how Christians are called to widen the circle of compassion
to include those on themargins so that boundaries disappear.
Fr. Boyle noted that service is how we begin to bridge the
distance between “us” and “them,” and that kinship is where
we want to end up.
Michel Ann Group, administrative assistant in the
admissions department at Canisius, read the book and
attended a presentation by Fr. Boyle for faculty and staff
members. She notes that she has heard associates, faculty
members and students raving about the book and the
impact it had on them. “This wonderful book goes beyond
all expectations as it teaches lessons for all of us to foster
kinship within Canisius and the community,” she says.
“Teachers and students alike have said they loved it so
much, they read the book twice which is testament to the
power of Fr. Boyle’s message and his humbling example in
compassion for others.”
In an interview after the presentation to students, Fr. Boyle
points out that no matter what worthy goals the act of
service may have, kinship must be part of it. “The goal of
service to others, which is a hallmark of a Canisius High
School education, is unity and kinship among all people,”
he concludes. “In service, we invite people to their own
goodness so that the Christ in me sees the Christ in you.”
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Fr. Boyle shares stories and insights with students during his
presentation at Canisius.
