Kathy Petersen Cecala has authored a new book about the university’s first library director, whose scholarship and service at the university spanned four decades. “Called to Serve: The Untold Story of Father Irenaeus Herscher OFM” was published by Franciscan Institute Publications. A 1978 graduate of Bona’s, Cecala worked with Fr. Irenaeus as a student aide at Friedsam Memorial Library.
Fr. Irenaeus, a historian, librarian and archivist, was a devoted follower of St. Francis, but very much a man of his time — which included most of the 20th century. Yet his story contains meaning and resonance even in modern times. His story begins as a poor refugee immigrant arriving in the United States as a child. As a teenaged shipyard laborer and high school dropout, he one day finds himself “called to serve” in a deeper and more spiritual sense.
“Called to Serve” not only chronicles the life and work of a very unusual priest and scholar, it provides a look at America Catholicism and its evolution through the mid-to-late 20th century, as well as a glimpse at popular secular culture of the time. It contains telling and previously unpublished excerpts from Fr. Irenaeus’ own correspondence with Thomas Merton, Robert Lax and others. For details, visit franciscanpublications.com or the author’s website, kpcecala.net.
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