Bedford Public Library

...but few are chosen, a different path to coming of age, Michael Connolly, Richard Olive, John Tuohey

eng

contains biographical information

illustrations

index present

non fiction

...but few are chosen

Michael Connolly, Richard Olive, John Tuohey

a different path to coming of age

This is the story of three boys coming of age in the mid-1950?s. Growing up in working class Irish Catholic neighborhoods in the Northeastern United States, they are desperate to escape lives of loneliness/ petty crime, and violence. At the age of thirteen, ready to enter high school they each come to the same life changing, and possibly life-saving decision-to enter a seminary and begin their journeys toward the priesthood. “?but few are chosen” chronicles Mike, John, and Olli?s fears, frustrations, hopes, and dreams while they proceed on their very unique path to adulthood via St. John?s Atonement Seminary in Montour Falls, New York. There, the three meet, eventually become lifelong friends, and begin the transition to becoming successful and contributing members of society. Lives that would undoubtedly have ended poorly are turned around in the structured, orderly, caring, and predictable life of the seminary. For the first time the boys come to realize that life is more than just raised voices and clenched fists. Led by priests on the faculty they learn responsibility, restraint, patience, and concern for others. They develop determination without aggression, and apply their new-found abilities to study, sports, and relationships

But few are chosen