The Gospel of Cesar Chavez: My Faith in Action (Celebrating Faith: Explorations in Latino Spirituality and Theology) [Paperback]

Mario T. Garcia (Editor, Introduction), Virgil Elizondo (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 10, 2007 | Series: Celebrating Faith: Explorations in Latino Spirituality and Theology

Once asked to explain how he had sustained himself over so many years of struggle, César Chávez responded: "I don't think I could base my will to struggle on cold economics or some political doctrine. For me, the base must be faith."

In evaluating the life and struggles of César Chávez, one of the most recognized Latino leaders in the United States and the first labor leader to successfully organize and unionize U.S. farm workers, many historians, journalists, and other writers have largely missed one significant factor of his life—his faith and deep spirituality. The Gospel of César Chávez uses the prolific leader's own words to express his profound faith and the way it shaped his life and leadership.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Mario García's The Gospel of César Chávez presents the thoughts and words of one of the leading U.S. Catholic and ecumenical thinkers of the 20th century. Readers will find here many startling meditations on poverty, non-violence, collective action, and social justice, and on their relationship to human spirituality. (Stephen Pitti, professor of history & American Studies, director of Ethnicity, Race, and Migration Studies, Yale University )

This is a book to read slowly and meditatively and let it transform you. Mario García has truly given us Gospel, 'good news,' a window into the everyday wisdom, dichos, and powerful spiritual vision of César Chávez. (Timothy Matovina, associate professor of theology, director of the Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism, University of Notre Dame )

César Chávez was primarily a moral teacher, a man of great faith whose spirit inspired all those who met or heard him. Professor García's beautiful book captures, in César's own words, the depth of Chávez's convictions and the richness of his legacy for all generations. The power of his beliefs about human dignity, social justice, love, and truth is evident in this remarkable volume. This book may help us find a moral direction as we enter the perilous decades of the twenty-first century. (Richard Griswold del Castillo, professor of Chicana and Chicano Studies, San Diego State University )

The Gospel of César Chávez reveals the agony and the ecstasy of a man I was privileged to know, one living an authentic Christian life amidst injustice, suffering and even death-and never losing hope that justice will one day triumph. Like Moses, he did not see that day but never despaired of its dawning. (Moises Sandoval, author of On the Move: A History of the Hispanic Church in the United States )

At this crucial moment in our nation's history—'the immigration moment'—the witness of César Chávez gives us reason to hope. As we face the gift and task of just and lasting immigration reform, this collection of Chávez' writings reminds us that true reform of any kind must be nurtured and sustained by a lively faith and a vibrant spirituality. (Cardinal Roger Mahony, Archbishop of Los Angeles )

Garcia heavily annotates each chapter and ends the book with a bibloigraphy....The book dispels any misconception of Chavez's beliefs were simple or unsophisticated....Response to the book has been positive and diverse. (El Paso Times, May 2008 )

About the Author

Mario T. García is a professor of history and Chicano studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is the author of several books on Mexican American leaders, including Mexican Americans: Leadership, Ideology, Identity.

Product Details

• Paperback: 140 pages
• Publisher: Sheed & Ward (August 10, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580512232
• ISBN-13: 978-1580512237
• Product Dimensions: 0.4 x 6.3 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #260,851 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #76 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Ethnic & National > Hispanic & Latino

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars for those seeking spiritual guidance September 26, 2007

By Reader Views

Format:Paperback

Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (9/07)

In his introduction to "The Gospel of Cesar Chavez" Mario T. Garcia profiles the events in the life and legacy of Cesar Chavez. His intent in this manuscript was to produce a book of the spiritual reflections of Chavez which would inspire the reader to reflect themselves on the topics covered in relation to their own spirituality.

Within the pages of the introduction Garcia has provided insight into the influences that most impacted the character -- virtue, theology, philosophy, and political views of Chavez. Among those who had a profound influence on Cesar's life was Father Donald McDonnell, the writings of St. Francis of Assisi, and the teachings of Gandhi. From these men Chavez took a stance on nonviolence and the importance of sacrificing for others. Another man who was a key influence on Cesar's life was Fred Ross, a community leader for Industrial Areas Foundation.

In his crusade against the injustice of the migrant farm worker Chavez organized the people for effectiveness in strikes and boycotts. In 1968 the well-publicized Grape Boycott which lasted two years took on the moral nature of Cesar's crusades. In a 25-day march from Delano, California to Sacramento Chavez was drawing attention to the need for social justice.

Chavez had a keen awareness of the power of mass media. At the end of a 25-day fast, Cesar invited Bobby Kennedy to receive communion with him.

The 17 chapters of reflections of Cesar Chavez are drawn from countless newspaper articles, interviews, editorials, and various studies completed earlier on the life of Chavez. Garcia chose those reflections that revealed Cesar's spiritual training, his thoughts on the power of faith, human dignity, self-sacrifice, and the poor.

Garcia also included Cesar's views on social justice, non-violence, and the teachings of Gandhi. Individual chapters divulge his view of a pilgrimage, his thoughts on fasting, prayer, and meditation. The final chapters explore the spirituality of antiracism, ecumenism, brotherhood, and the spirituality of non-discrimination.

In recent years I have understood more fully the plight of the farm worker, and the discrimination against various ethnic groups. Reading "The Gospel of Cesar Chavez" has given me a new appreciation of the dedication, and sacrifice Chavez made in his crusade to correct this injustice.

Garcia's work is meticulously researched and documented and provides a wealth of information on the motivation behind the amazing results and effectiveness of Cesar Chavez's leadership.

"The Gospel of Cesar Chavez" is a book, not only for academics, but for the general public, of all backgrounds, seeking spiritual guidance. Mario T. Garcia has successfully provided a model for faith in action through the life and Gospel of Cesar Chavez.

Book received free of charge.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book November 21, 2009

By Lisa

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Before this book, I had really only known of Cesar Chavez as a labor leader and activist. This book shows how his faith was the source for his politics. It's a really good book for progressives and conservatives alike.

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Prolific Professor Presents Important and saintly nonviolent leader for our troubled times of deepening imprisoning inequalities May 28, 2012

By C. Scanlon VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Professor Mario Garcia consistently produces analyses of important figures for our attention and emulation.

For a few of countless examples we may read:
Chicano Liberation Theology: The Writings and Documents of Richard Cruz and Católicos por la Raza
Blowout!: Sal Castro and the Chicano Struggle for Educational Justice
A Dolores Huerta Reader
and
Bridging Cultures: An Introduction to Chicano/Latino Studies

just to mention so very few in passing.

Here in this present volume we receive this noted historians analysis and synthesis of one of our greatest political and religious and labor leaders, Cesar Chavez, organized in his own words and reflections, thus, his gospel, his preaching of the Good NEws to the poor, and now unto us as well.

We find here sections devoted to the Poor, to Nonviolence, to Self-sacrifice, to Social Justice, to Fasting, to Gandhi, to Love.

We also find collected his thoughts and words on Human Dignity, the Power of Faith, on Pilgrimage, on Truth. We find personal religious expressions around Our LAdy of Guadalupe, on PRayer and MEditation, on the Spirituality of Antiracism (so neessary in our present time), on Ecumenism and Brotherhood. We find that which we most lack and most need, words on Humility, nondiscrimination, and death.

This Professor Garcia humbly serves not so much as author but as eidtor of this work, organizing Chavez's original words around these critical themes, words which with time grow only more crucial and prophetic for our most careful contemplation and action.

This book is capped with a centering introduction by the inspriation for this colleciton, the Reverend Father Virgil Elizondo, professor at Notre Dame and author of Charity (Catholic Spirituality for Adults), and of Way of the Cross: The Passion of Christ in the Americas and of Galilean Journey: The Mexican-American Promise along with numerous other recordings and publications also available here.

Certainly there are many works analyzing the meaning and life of Cesar Charvez, such as César Chávez, the Catholic Bishops, and the Farmworkers' Struggle for Social Justice and Cesar Chavez: Autobiography of La Causa and the wonderful gem César Chávez: A Photographic Essay. Nevertheless, this collection uniquely consists of original staements from our great American saint. Please keep this one always at hand, for strength and spiritual direction.