In only the past two months, Fr. Maurice Nutt, a redemptorist missionary of Denver Province, has completed two book signings and an interview on Busted Halo for Down Deep in My Soul: An African American Catholic Theology of Preaching. Published by Orbis Books in February, the new book offers a comprehensive exploration of preaching in the Black Catholic tradition. It is the first scholarly and pastoral publication examining the Black preaching style from a Roman Catholic perspective, and it is receiving stellar reviews from Catholic and Protestant preaching scholars alike. Catholic Theological Union in Chicago has invited Fr. Maurice to teach a one-week intensive course on Black Preaching and Evangelization in their Summer Program on June 19-23.
Fr. Maurice dedicated his latest work to his Redemptorist confreres throughout the world with the words, “As devoted sons of St. Alphonsus Liguori may we remain ever devoted to witnessing to the Redeemer by preaching Good News to the poor and abandoned. May we remain on fire in our mission to preaching explicitly to and being in solidarity with the poor by advocating for their fundamental rights to justice and liberation in our wounded world.”
Fr. Maurice actually launched his book on March 1 at Catholic Theological Union, when he delivered the 23rd annual Tolton Lecture to an appreciative audience. A few weeks later, he shared his thoughts about the importance of quality preaching to improve inclusivity and diversity in the Church on the Busted Halo Show with Fr. Dave Dwyer. A few weeks ago, he welcomed more than 70 friends and associates to a Book Signing event at Mercy Endeavors Senior Center in New Orleans. More Book Signing events are coming up in Washington, DC, St. Louis, Montgomery, Atlanta and Miami.
Fr. Maurice J. Nutt, CSsR, holds a Doctor of Ministry degree in preaching from Aquinas Institute of Theology. He is a nationally noted retreat, revival, and parish mission preacher. In addition to the Black Catholic faith communities, he served as pastor at St. Alphonsus Liguori “Rock” Catholic Church in St. Louis and Holy Names of Jesus and Mary Catholic Church in Memphis. He lives with the Redemptorist community in New Orleans.
Down Deep in My Soul: An African American Catholic Theology of Preaching is available from Orbis Books and Amazon.
by Kristine Stremel / Denverlink, June 02, 2023 (edited)
