Print Issue: August 1, 2002

Father Tad Book: Asking Questions About Life Led To His Discovering God And More

Twenty-five-year-old Father Theodore Book enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, canoeing and running. (Photo by Michael Alexander)

By Priscilla Greear, Staff Writer

ATLANTA - Gavin Averill remembers going on hiking trips in North Georgia with his longtime friend Father Theodore "Tad" Book and others in their college years. Book would invite them to join him in praying the Liturgy of the Hours, facing east as Christ is like the rising sun.

While not religious themselves, Averill and Graham Schuster, old friends, said they've admired their Book's tenacity and total dedication to his faith, which he developed somewhat suddenly in high school.

"What I'm really impressed with is his total sacrifice to God. I think that's a pretty beautiful thing and takes a lot . . . In terms of the spirituality of what he's doing, it's inspiring. It's true, it's from the heart," said Graham Schuster, who came from California for the ordination of his "loyal friend" since second grade.

Added Averill, "I've been impressed by his dedication to his faith and his conviction to his ideology. He's a very insightful person and we frequently discuss matters of spirituality."

A person of prayer, Father Book likes to pray the rosary daily and include a holy hour as well as the Liturgy of the Hours. Ordained July 13 at the Cathedral of Christ the King, he is serving this summer at Mary Our Queen Church, Norcross, but will return to Rome in the fall to earn a licentiate in sacred liturgy from the Pontifical Liturgical Institute.

"It's wonderful (priesthood). It's also a big responsibility," said Father Book.

From an ecumenical family with a mother who is Methodist, Father Book began thinking about faith his junior year of high school. He decided that the world couldn't exist as it did without God. "I said to myself, if God exists he has to be the most important thing in life and it has to be centered on him."

He then decided that the Christian view of God was the only one that didn't seem like a human concept. After examining different denominations, he felt a strong desire to be Catholic, as it's the only church founded by Christ.

"I did make up my mind to take religion seriously and to do whatever I was called for in terms of following God, that his will had to be the first priority in my life. I started praying regularly, tried to pray the rosary three times a day and tried to live a better life. After a year I felt very strongly that I was called to be a priest and I've felt that calling ever since," he said in an interview prior to his ordination.

While he considered going straight into seminary, the Atlanta native decided to keep discerning while attending Georgia Tech. He earned a bachelor's degree in computer science. Liking languages, he lived a year in the Spanish House and took classes where he learned Spanish. He now also speaks Italian as well as some French, Latin and Greek. Regarding his major, "one of the things you learn in studying computer science is logic and how to think things out logically and approach them that way. And I think that has been very helpful in studying philosophy and theology and I think it's a good preparation for all sorts of things in life."

Father Mario Di Lella, OFM, chaplain at the Georgia Tech Catholic Center, appreciated his talents: as a student, Father Book set up the computer system and "tried to instruct me in what to do." He also served as a lector, eucharistic minister and in other areas.

At the Catholic Center "they all liked him and he liked them. He's very kind, very gentle, a very loving person," said Father Di Lella. "He's not an aloof person. He's a very brilliant young man, but it doesn't show. You'd never know it" with his humility.

His intelligence is reflected in his being chosen to attend seminary in Rome, Italy, where he earned a degree in sacred theology at the Gregorian University before studying for his licentiate, noted Father Di Lella. The chaplain also noted how Father Book's computer skills will greatly help him in scholarly pursuits with research and reference. "It's incredible what things you can do now with the computer programs available to the scholars."

Father Di Lella said that Father Book is the 21st Georgia Tech graduate to be ordained a priest for dioceses and orders around the country. He was grateful to vest him at his ordination as well as his transitional diaconate ordination last fall at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

"My boys, I see them as my sons. I just get torn up when I do something like that. It's so beautiful, just like giving away a bride."

Father Book called his former chaplain "just a good example of a priest who lived his priesthood faithfully and well and who was always a very charitable man."

After graduating from Tech, Father Book deepened his sense of connection to the church in Rome, the city where most popes lived, Sts. Peter and Paul were martyred and saints sojourned. He recalled one "very worthwhile" experience cooking dinner for and meeting regularly with Notre Dame architecture students to discuss faith, and always enjoyed studying with people from around the world.

"It was a very good experience. You really experience the catholicity of the church," he said. Regarding his return to complete his studies of sacred liturgy, he said, "I really find it fascinating to see the development and continuity (of liturgy) within the church" through the centuries.

As he now embraces the church as his life, he recalled how he dated a little in high school and college and found marriage "very attractive," but simply was sure he was called to priesthood.

"It was a case of giving up one good thing for another good thing, which is something difficult, but it has to be done in life," he said.

He thinks priestly celibacy is appropriate because priests "can give themselves totally to the church and people and that way be a sign of the eschatological life we're all anticipating in heaven."

When returning from Rome he looks forward to serving the archdiocese wherever he's assigned. "My vocations director used to say, 'The Lord calls the weak to confront the strong.' I don't think he called me because I have special talents but because he can use me to bring about his kingdom."

Father Theodore R. Book

Age: 25

Birth Date: Aug. 3, 1976

Place of Birth: Born in Houston; raised in Atlanta.

Parents: Wayne and Judith Book

Siblings: One brother and one sister

Education: Bachelor of science degree in computer science, 1997, Georgia Tech; completed philosophy studies, 1997-98, St. Vincent Seminary, Latrobe, Pa., summer 1998, St. Meinrad Seminary, St. Meinrad, Ind.; STB, 2001, Gregorian University, Rome, Italy; working on licentiate in sacred liturgy to be completed next year, Pontifical Liturgical Institute, Rome, Italy.

Work Experience: While in college had Internet design company, 1995-97; worked as consultant for a computer software design company, 1997; volunteered in college at St. Francis Table at Shrine of Immaculate Conception, Atlanta; was an Eagle Scout.

Primary Hobbies and Interests: Reading, hiking, canoeing and other outdoors activities including running; has run Peachtree Road Race for the last seven years.

Pastoral Internships: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Carrollton, summer 2001; Prince of Peace Church, Buford, summer 2000; worked with Army chaplaincy in Germany, summer 1999.

Additional Languages: Spanish and Italian as well as some French, Latin and Greek. Spent a year living in Spanish House at Georgia Tech.

Particular Ministries of Interest: Parish ministry.

First Assignment: Summer assignment at Mary Our Queen Church, Norcross, after which he will return to Rome, Italy, to finish licentiate in sacred theology at Pontifical Liturgical Institute.

Pastor: Father David Dye