Account: "An Artist of God Despite the Hardship: the Truly Inspiring Story of Michael O'Brien." (Who Wrote "Father Elijah")

[mdgspencer]

see www.lifesitenews.com/news/an-artist-for-god-despite-the-hardship-the-truly-inspiring-story-of-michael
In his early 20s, he was very successful as an artist, but then it struck him in his heart–why not simply paint for Christ and his Church. He had a wife and child to support, but he and his wife knelt before the blessed sacrament and consecrated his work to the Lord and his Church. But when he showed his explicitly Christian art work to galleries, he found, the galleries said the art-buying public is not interested in this world-view. Then he began to write too, and received rejection letters for 20 years–they would not accept his faith-view, he recalls. But he did not stop writing Christian novels, though they were unpublished. Then the Ignatius Press called him…
His highly-regarded novels have appeared in 14 languages.

 

[RCbkr]

I enjoyed reading all of his books. They’re very deep…not easy reads, but so worth the effort.

 

[jeannetherese]

I’m finishing my third novel by Mr. O’Brien and just bought myself The Father’s Tale for Christmas. I’ve been recommending his work to my friends (and a few strangers as well). His writing is grounded historically and culturally and has a timeless quality. I anticipate friends, who would not read what they might consider to be Catholic literature, enjoying his books and the recognizing and responding to their pull.
May God bless him and his good work.
Amen.