In a moving example of unconditional love in dif­ficult times, Gregory Boyle, the Jesuit priest and New York Times bestselling author of Tattoos around the Heart, stocks what dealing with gang members in LA has taught him about faith, compassion, as well as the enduring power of kinship.

In his first book, Tattoos in the Heart: THE ENERGY of Boundless Compassion, Gregory Boyle introduced us to Homeboy Industries, the biggest gang-intervention program in the world. Critics hailed that publication as an “ about Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship astounding literary and religious feat” (Publishers Weekly) that’s “destined to become traditional of both urban reportage and contemporary spirituality” (Los Angeles Times). Now, after the suc­cessful extension of Homeboy Sectors, Boyle comes back with Barking towards the Choir to reveal how com­enthusiasm is transforming the lives of gang people.

Inside a nation deeply divided and suffering from poverty and violence, Barking towards the Choir offers a snapshot into the challenges and joys of life around the margins. Sergio, arrested at age nine, in a gang by age twelve, and providing time shortly thereafter, now works together with the substance-abuse team at Homeboy to help others discover sobriety. Jamal, discontinued by his family members when he attempted to attend school at age seven, gradually discovers forgive­ness for his schizophrenic mom. New father Cuco, who hardly ever knew his personal dad, thinks of the daily adventure on which to consider his four-year-old son. These previous gang members uplift the soul and reveal how bright life can be when filled with unconditional like and kindness.

This book is guaranteed to shake up our ideas about God and about people with a glimpse at a world defined by more compassion and fewer barriers. Lightly and humorously, Barking to the Choir invites us to find kinship with each other and re-convinces us all of our very own goodness.