My intense three-month love affair with the writings of Paul Hendrickson reached a significant juncture in early 2012. On his advice, I embarked on reading his personal memoir, penned nearly three decades ago, which detailed his time at the Thomas Judge seminary in Holy Trinity, Alabama. At just fourteen, Paul entered the somewhat solemn and serious monastic life and studied there for seven years until he found the courage to leave. In this memoir, he weaves a complex tapestry of stories centered around a spiritual life that, in my view, remained largely unfulfilled by most of those practicing it.

Hendrickson's research involved arduous and challenging interviews, as well as overnight stays at the homes of former novitiates and priests associated with the seminary. This provided the then-forty-year-old Hendrickson with ample material to understand his past and envision his future. Fast forward to today, and Hendrickson is a highly accomplished writer, having authored several biographical works on captivating subjects. He is happily married with two adult children, a sought-after professor of writing in Pennsylvania, and rapidly approaching his seventies.

The lengthy opening of "Seminary: A Search" takes up a good half or more of the book and, to me, reads as juvenile and amateurish linear reporting. It is overly excitable and judgmental when it comes to telling a story that is meant to set the stage for the reader's understanding of the seriousness to follow. I found it interesting that when Hendrickson writes about himself directly, he doesn't come across as particularly good. He seems too excitable and a bit immature, which I suppose is understandable given his age at the time. However, I discovered that Hendrickson shines when he writes about himself in the context of another subject. It is then that his true talent emerges.

It isn't until after the initial linear reportage, followed by his firsthand visits across the country to see his old friends and mentors and understand what they had made of their lives, that we truly get to engage with what is happening inside Paul Hendrickson. His intimate interactions with the survivors, as well as in all his subsequent books, demonstrate his strength as a writer and are a testament to his devoted readership. I count myself among them. As I've said before, there is no better biographer than Paul Hendrickson. His later works are anything but straight and linear. I keep reading him because I know he will venture where others dare not.

This book wasn't a joy to read for me. There was little in it that appealed to me. Certainly not the sex part, which, as in all of Hendrickson's books, is present but not in a way that I found arousing. However, I did learn a great deal about Catholicism, which I wasn't particularly interested in. Thankfully, there was an even more important subject, and that was the author himself. I do believe that it is essential to read a book like this if you plan to continue following Hendrickson's writings. It is clear that he leaves us a distinct trail, and it's not just meager crumbs. It's easy to see how he matures as a writer and thinker after this personal account and why he goes on to write brilliantly about the civil rights era, the Vietnam War, Marion Post Wolcott, the FSA, and Ernest Hemingway. Whether you are a Christian, a Catholic, an agnostic, a demon, or a cur, it is crucial for your understanding of Paul Hendrickson and his passionate engagement with every subject he writes about that you absorb this first effort to understand his truest subject, which is always himself and rightfully so.

Seminary is Paul Hendrickson's first book. It was written in 1983 and details his seven-year experience as a seminary student. Then, 18 years later, he had encounters with former students and teachers. This alone would make for an interesting read. However, Hendrickson takes it a step further by layering the story with deeply felt portraits of the boys he studied with and the men they became.

Most of them left before becoming missionaries, but their studies still left a mark. Some got married and had families. They became lawyers, FBI agents, counselors. They struggled with and overcame addictions. One served in Viet Nam and became one of three pastors to win the Medal of Honour in that conflict. Later, he was the only recipient to ever return his medal. Not all of his teachers remained in the priesthood. Hendrickson tells their stories with compassion and clarity.

In all of these cases, Hendrickson asks what brought these boys and men to the seminary and why he himself left. He poses the same questions to himself. And if the answers are different or uncertain, that is the human condition. The questing itself has great value. In at least one other book, Hendrickson has offered a quotation from T.S Eliot. It is particularly apt for this book: “We shall not cease from exploration / And the end of all our exploring / Will be to arrive where we started / And know the place for the first time.”

I was truly astonished by the deeply personal nature of this remarkable book. Hendrickson takes us on a journey through his experiences in the Roman Catholic Seminary, first in Alabama and later in Virginia.

The book lays bare his inner turmoil and personal struggle with his faith. It showcases his unwavering commitment to the priesthood, while also highlighting the expectations placed upon him by his family. Additionally, it explores the profound impact that worldly events had on his faith.

It is filled with vivid memories of his fellow classmates, painting a picture of how "human" these boys truly were. As Robert Coles so eloquently writes for the New Republic, it is "A gifted writer's look inward at a soul's reasons, a soul's trials and turns." This book is an absolute delight to read, offering a unique and intimate perspective on one man's spiritual odyssey.

It is a must-read for anyone interested in the human experience and the exploration of faith.

This experience is deeply enjoyable and pleasantly slow.

It offers a sense of relaxation and tranquility that is hard to find in our fast-paced modern lives.

There are rewards waiting for those who take the time to engage in this activity.

It could be the discovery of new ideas, the expansion of knowledge, or simply the pleasure of losing oneself in a good book.

To enhance this experience, it is recommended to read with a large pot of tea.

The warm and comforting beverage can further soothe the soul and add to the overall enjoyment.

As you sip on your tea and turn the pages, you can let the world outside fade away and immerse yourself in the wonderful world of literature.

So, take a break from the hustle and bustle, make yourself a pot of tea, and embark on a journey of deep enjoyment and pleasant slowness.

You won't be disappointed.