Matthew Motykas fascinating reflections on the transformative nature of living life multilingually and multiculturally are as engaging as they are edifying. Tracing his lifelong journey of continual beginnings and encountering otherness (from Polish to French, English, Spanish, and Italian), his story is one of courtshipwith languages, ideas, and ways of being that ultimately deepen Motykas capacity for spirituality. A literary and personal peregrination that will reward all readers curious about language, culture, and faith. -- Richard Kern, Director of Berkeley Language Center This book is a unique, rich blend of deep scholarship and generously shared personal narrative. In it, Matthew Motyka compellingly depicts his complex, ever-evolving, international, multicultural, multilingual life and identity. The three greatest calls of his life have been that of the French language, literature, and culture; that of the life of the intellect, and that of Jesuit spirituality. The book is suffused with the authors deep knowledge of, and search for transcendence through, languages, cultures, literature, and religion. It is written engagingly and accessibly, and will appeal both to fellow scholars and to the general reader. -- Stephanie Vandrick, University of San Francisco Matthew Motyka's lovely narrative embodies and brings to life the adage that 'the person who speaks two languages is two persons." Assuming there is a real person behind every language one speaks, Matthew gifts us with a wisdom, a clarity, a delicacy, and a humanity which, in their blessed aggregate, both ennoble and inspire. Part autobiography, part spiritual journal, and part prophecy, he has provided a refreshing oasis for every cultural pilgrim. The journey, his journey, is well worth it. -- Bishop Gordon Bennett, S.J., Bishop Emeritus of Mandeville
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