Be a Man!: Becoming the Man God Created You to Be [Paperback]

Fr Larry Richards (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2009

Men are rediscovering the importance of the spiritual life. And Father Larry Richards is helping them do it. While some writers apply a one-size-fits-all approach to the Christian life, Father Richards draws on his many years of ministry and his own experience as a man to inspire other men as men.

In Be a Man!, he recounts his struggles to learn true manhood, as well as the inspiring stories of others he has served in his decades as a priest. He tells men how to focus on the right goal, how to live as a beloved son of God, of the need to acknowledge one's faults and to live according to the Holy Spirit, to be a man of true love and of wisdom, to appreciate properly the differences between men and women, to pursue holiness, and to make a difference in the world. Not preachy but direct, Father Richards challenges men to be strong, without putting on a mask of false strength or machismo. He calls men to admit their weaknesses and limitations, while urging them to find strength in faith and genuine love to overcome their sins and faults.

Although a celibate priest, he minces no words when it comes to the place of sexuality for the unmarried man as well as for the married man. He shows that true manliness is not opposed to love but thrives on it. Father Richards stresses that a relationship with Christ reveals the meaning of a man's life and his identity as a man. He inspires men to become the true heroes they long to be men of authentic courage, compassion and integrity. This is a highly readable book for men by a man who knows how to talk to men about the things that matter most.

Fr. Larry Richards, a popular speaker at men s conferences around the country, is the pastor of an inner city parish in Erie, PA. He hosts his own daily national radio show on Relevant Radio, and is the founder of "The Reason for Our Hope Foundation".

"Father Larry talks straight to men in his own manly style. He pulls no spiritual punches-I don't think he knows how to! He pokes, pushes, sometimes verbally slaps men into being God's men, all with an obvious love for them and faith in their ability to persevere to heaven."

-Dr. Ray Guarendi, Psychologist, National Syndicated Radio Host, and Author

"Be a Man! is a must-read for all men who are serious about strengthening their relationship with God. This exceptional book speaks clearly and directly, challenging men to live their faith with courage and conviction. Be a Man! is a spiritual wake-up call that offers a refreshingly honest presentation of what it means to be a man of God. With a unique blend of humor, passion, and frankness that has become his trademark style, Fr. Larry Richards explores how a Christ-centered male spirituality fosters growth in holiness, and inspires men to become loving servants of their wives, families, and the Church."
-Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, Author, EWTN TV Series Host

Product Details

• Paperback: 196 pages
• Publisher: Ignatius Press (October 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1586174037
• ISBN-13: 978-1586174033
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (68 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,622 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A gifted and captivating speaker, preacher, retreat master and author, Father Larry
Richards holds the answer to some of life's most profound questions. He speaks from
experience as a pastor of an inner city parish, a high school chaplain, a counselor and
evangelist. Fr. Larry Richards has directed hundreds of Retreats, Parish Missions and
Conferences for young and old alike. His inspirational talks and presentations, always
authentic and enthusiastic, have changed the hearts, minds, and lives of millions of
listeners worldwide. He continues to accept invitations for speaking engagements all over
the United States and in Canada and has recently traveled abroad to continue his mission
of evangelization.
Father Larry Richards was born on March 26, 1960, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He
entered St. Mark High School Seminary, Erie, Pennsylvania, at the age of 17. After high
school, Father Larry attended the college Seminary at Gannon University and received
his Bachelor of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling in 1983.
Continuing his studies at the Major Seminary at St. Vincent in Latrobe, Pennsylvania,
Father Larry Richards received his Masters of Divinity degree in 1987. He will soon
conclude his studies and be awarded a Master of Arts degree in Liturgy from the
University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana.
Ordained to the priesthood on April 21, 1989 for the Diocese of Erie, Pennsylvania,
Father Larry Richards has served as Pastor of St. Joseph Church/Bread of Life
Community, also in Erie, since July 1, 2002. In addition, Father is the spiritual director
of the TEC (To Encounter Christ) Retreat Program for the Diocese of Erie.
On August 30, 2004, in the midst of his many commitments to his parishioners, to the
TEC community, and to traveling around the United States for Parish Missions, Retreats,
and Conferences, Father Larry founded and is president of "The Reason For Our Hope
Foundation," a non-profit organization dedicated to 'spreading the Good News' by
educating others about Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith through CDs and DVDs, as
well as promoting Catholic speakers who are effective instruments of evangelization. In
turn, the foundation will support charities that strive to make real the Gospel of Jesus
Christ.
He has recorded many talks on all aspects of the Catholic Faith for individual and smallgroup
instruction, all of which are available on The Reason for Our Hope website at
www.TheReasonForOurHope.com. Since the inception of the Foundation, Father Larry
has also recorded CDs and DVDs entitled "The Truth", "Confession", "The Mass
Explained", "Knowing God's Will", "Prayer", "Living in the Holy Spirit", "Be a Man",
and "What More Could He Do For You". Father Larry's live presentation of "What
More Could He Do For You?", a dramatic explanation of the Passion of Jesus, is riveting;
the DVD of this presentation is, without a doubt, the most moving re-enactment of the
Passion one can view. Father Larry will be adding to the list of available presentations
on a regular basis. These CDs and DVDs may also be secured on the foundation
website at www.TheReasonForOurHope.com.
Father Larry's first book, "Be a Man! Becoming the Man God Created You To Be" was
published by Ignatius Press in October of 2009, and was the #1 best seller by Ignatius
Press in 2010. In "Be a Man!" he recounts his struggles to learn true manhood, as well
as the inspiring stories of others he has served in his decades as a priest. He tells men
how to focus on the right goal, how to live as a beloved son of God, of the need to
acknowledge one's faults and to live according to the Holy Spirit, to be a man of true love
and of wisdom, to appreciate properly the differences between men and women, to
pursue holiness, and to make a difference in the world. Not preachy but direct, Father
Larry challenges men to be strong, without putting on a mask of false strength or
machismo. He calls men to admit their weaknesses and limitations, while urging them to
find strength in faith and genuine love to overcome their sins and faults.
Father Larry's second book, "Surrender! The Life-Changing Power of Doing God's Will"
was published by Our Sunday Visitor in September of 2011. Fr. Larry Richards
challenges you to let go of attachments, assumptions and excuses that hold you back from
giving yourself more fully to God, in order to receive everything God wants to give you.
Father Larry Richards hosts a radio show called "Changed Forever with Father Larry
Richards". It can be heard nationwide on Relevant Radio on Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.
ET/7:00 p.m. CT, and Sundays at 11:00 a.m. ET/10:00 a.m. CT. For more information,
or to listen on-line, go to www.relevantradio.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I ordered nine more copies!, November 21, 2009

By 

June A. Klins (Erie, PA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Be a Man!: Becoming the Man God Created You to Be (Paperback)

I bought this book for my son who wanted it, and when it arrived I decided to preview it myself to see if it were appropriate for the other men on my Christmas list. I ordered six more copies! Since then I have ordered three more! The book is great!

This book is very easy reading, as you feel that Fr. Larry is standing right in front of you, talking right to you. He addresses the readers as "gentlemen," but you could substitute your own name very easily to make it seem like Fr. Larry is speaking to you personally.

Fr. Larry substantiates almost everything he says with Scripture. I was impressed to find passages from Scripture on almost every page. Anecdotes - sometimes humorous - and stories from Father's own life, stories and quotes of the saints, popes and other Christians like Billy Graham, all support the point he is trying to make in each chapter. No one could ever accuse this book of being boring!

This book is very practical too. At the end of each of the ten chapters is a list of three tasks to be accomplished, along with three questions for reflection and discussion. At the end of the book the thirty tasks are recapped with checkboxes so you can check them off as you accomplish them.

Although this book was written for men, there are several chapters which could apply to women also. Father admittedly suggests that chapter nine about holiness is not for just men, as we are ALL called to be holy. I also found the chapters about repentance and the Holy Spirit very helpful, as again, women also are called to repent and to live a life in the Holy Spirit. I especially liked Father's explanations of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, since many people do not understand those gifts. So, women, I suggest you buy this book for the man or men in your life, and do as I did and read it first. But don't read it in public, because if someone sees the title and sees you reading it, they may get the wrong idea!

Seriously though, if every man who reads this book would do exactly what it says, and become the man God created him to be, this world would be a much better place.
June Klins

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Provides a honest and challenging look at how to be a man, October 29, 2009

By 

Jason M. Molitor (Waukesha, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Be a Man!: Becoming the Man God Created You to Be (Paperback)

Gentlemen,
How many times have you looked around and asked "What in the heck is going on in the world?" There are threats to your masculinity as well as your family around every turn. I submit that these threats must be met by truly Christian men who understand what is at stake and want to do something about it.

Fr. Larry Richards is a masterful speaker and his humor and wisdom make this a must have book for any Christian man. To be a man holds many responsibilities and it can be difficult to maintain a truly Christian life in this crazy mixed up world. With the help of Fr. Larry and the unchanging truths of our Christian faith he will help you to step up and truly BE A MAN!

Our men's group will be using this book as a basis for our ministry and we highly recommend it.

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Penetrating Encounter, October 29, 2009

By 

Elizabeth Gerbracht (Hudson, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Be a Man!: Becoming the Man God Created You to Be (Paperback)

When was the last time you listened to six hours of a priest's homily in three days--and wished there was more? Well, that's what happens to you at one of the parish missions Fr. Larry puts on across the country; that's how we first encountered him a few years ago. Now, one of the best homilists in America has put it in writing.

You feel Fr. Larry getting to you in the first line of the first chapter: Fr. Larry says you are going to die! But don't get discouraged because by the last chapter he's got you pumped about doing something to help change the world; dying can come later after you get the job done.

What's so compelling about this book is that Fr. Larry is on every page--and, in a way, so are you! Fr. Larry is yelling at you, grabbing you by the collar, pulling, shoving you to Christ; and you're loving it. You'll laugh and you'll cry because he's so down to earth not only about you but himself: "...when I am in the chapel alone...when the God of the universe kicks my butt from one end of the chapel to the other because He loves me and wants me to be holy."

Although the title suggests it's a book for men, there's a lot for women, too, especially in understanding the men in women's lives, and the differences between men and women. (Elizabeth & Richard Gerbracht)