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  • Tattoos on the Heart

  • The Power of Boundless Compassion
  • Written by: Gregory Boyle
  • Narrated by: Gregory Boyle
  • Length: 7 hrs and 36 mins
  • 5.0 out of 5 stars (21 ratings)

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Tattoos on the Heart cover art

Tattoos on the Heart

Written by: Gregory Boyle
Narrated by: Gregory Boyle
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Publisher's Summary

“Destined to become a classic of both urban reportage and contemporary spirituality” (Los Angeles Times) - Tattoos on the Heart is a series of parables about kinship and redemption from pastor, activist, and renowned speaker Father Gregory Boyle.

Thirty years ago, Gregory Boyle founded Homeboy Industries, a gang-intervention, rehabilitation, and reentry program in Los Angeles, the gang capital of the world. In Tattoos on the Heart, his debut book, he distills his experience working with gang members into a breathtaking series of parables inspired by faith.

From giant, tattooed Cesar, shopping at JC Penney fresh out of prison, you learn how to feel worthy of God’s love. From 10-year-old Pipi you learn the importance of being known and acknowledged. From Lulu you come to understand the kind of patience necessary to rescue someone from the dark - as Father Boyle phrases it, we can only shine a flashlight on a light switch in a darkened room.

This is a motivating look at how to stay faithful in spite of failure, how to meet the world with a loving heart, and how to conquer shame with boundless, restorative love.

©2010 Gregory Boyle. All rights reserved. (P)2011 Highbridge, a division of Recorded Books. All rights reserved.

What listeners say about Tattoos on the Heart

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A Book that Urges Us to See God in Everyone

A truly moving book, as are all Fr. Greg’s others. I feel incredibly grateful to have found him through Fr. Richard Rohr.

Good bless you, Fr. Greg.

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I learned more about compassion from this book than from 40 years of religion

Unbelievable, heart breaking, heart mending and hopeful. It’s really the only way we heal as individuals and as a planet.

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Beautifully written and from the heart

This is a touching and poignant view of life and God and perhaps most importantly, people putting love in action.

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Fantastic storytelling

I purchased this audiobook on a friend's recommendation. At first, as I was listening, I found myself cringing at the religious anecdotes and conversations. As a non-believer, I found it a bit annoying that Gregory was talking at length about this. However, the story of Homeboy Industries is fascinating, and his wonderful storytelling kept me invested. As he explained his concept of boundless compassion, I laughed at myself. I wondered how could I possibly have boundless compassion if I was judging Gregory based on his beliefs? The entire book then became an exercise in boundless compassion. Instead of cringing when I heard a reference to a specific Bible verse, I listened with an open mind and heart. I found a lot of beauty in what Gregory shared. I appreciated his ability to humanize the gang members and find myself being more openminded about topics I used to be very closed off about. This book is a great way to get over your own blindspots and practice compassion.

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1 person found this helpful