A father—the head of the household, as Saint Paul says—has a crucial role and responsibility in his family, not only materially, but spiritually. This is no outdated biblical cliché, but a biological, sociological, and metaphysical reality that we too often fail to recognize. The example of a father can leave an indelible imprint on the character of his children.

In Because of Our Fathers, twenty-three Catholics—including Patrick Madrid, Abby Johnson, Bishop Joseph Strickland, Father Paul Scalia, Jesse Romero, Anthony Esolen, Father Rocky, Christopher Check, and Father Gerald Murray—give portraits of their own fathers as conduits and models of Christian love. Ranging from the heroic to the ordinary, these powerful testimonies will inspire men to consider more deeply the amazing privilege that God has given them to become, despite their imperfection, a living image of our Father in Heaven.

The introduction and conclusion by editor Tyler Rowley serve as a wake-up call. Illustrating the Church’s teaching on fatherhood with current research on the family, he makes clear the urgent need for men who take seriously the God-given, grace-filled task of raising children.

"Every man, whether or not he is a father, must read this extraordinary book. Men need encouragement, teaching, and support from other men in order to be the good fathers or mentors God gifted them to be. This book will inspire you, bring you to tears, and change your life. Thank you, Tyler, for having the courage to write it."
— Meg Meeker, M.D., New York Times Best-Selling Author, Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters

"Our wounded generation demonstrates the result of absentee fathers. Tyler Rowley has given us glowing examples of the opposite—what happens when Christian fathers proudly take up the challenge of being real dads and leading their families to Christ. Heartwarming testimonies that should be read by every father."
— Steve Ray, Author, Crossing the Tiber and Upon This Rock 

"In a time when fatherhood is seriously undervalued, we need a book that shows the pivotal role that fathers can play in the religious upbringing of their children. This is such a book. Deeply personal, it offers the inspiring reflections of Catholic men and women who have been touched by their fathers' faith."
— Bill Donohue, President, Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights; Author, Common Sense Catholicism