Book Review: Candles in the Dark

 From the Reggae Priest to the Ghetto Priest, Father Richard Ho Lung's vocation has never been a boring one. He began his life in Jamaica, the son of two Chinese Buddhist immigrants. His parents later converted to Catholicism and, at the age of ten, Richard Ho Lung became a Catholic, too. He went on to become a priest, a list-topping pop music artist, and most importantly, the founder of the Missionaries of the Poor, a brotherhood that cares for the poorest of the poor in Jamaica and around the world. Fr. Ho Lung owns nothing yet his radiant smile proves that his work with the unwanted and unloved is all he needs to feel joyful in Christ.

Although Father Ho Lung has been referred to as a "male Mother Teresa", he considers his ministry different from the Missionaries of Charity. He wanted the brothers to build communities where the people cared for one another as opposed to Mother Teresa's ministry of caring for the sick and dying. He is also very adamant about evangelization, not shying away from telling people that they need to attend the Catholic Church.

Reading this book was tremendously inspirational to me. I have a special place in my heart for children with special needs so reading the stories about Father Ho Lung and the work he does with the handicapped children really touched my heart. Also, the humility of Father Ho Lung is inspirational as well. The Missionaries of the Poor own nothing. Everything they have is brought to them through donations and everything they buy goes to those that they serve. This is an amazing story.

Candles in the Dark by Joseph Pierce is the second book I've read by this author and I must admit that I plan to purchase more of his books in the future. He has a way with words where, as the reader, I am reading an intellectual piece of literature but feel as if I am reading a novel. The words flow and everything makes sense to me. I not only recommend Candles in the Dark but I recommend that you check out other work by this author as well.

For more information about Father Richard Ho Lung and the Missionaries of the Poor , watch this wonderful hour-long interview with Father Mitch Pacwa:



I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest review from Saint Benedict Press/ TAN books.