New book chronicles Jim Wahlberg’s road to redemption
New book chronicles Jim Wahlberg’s road to redemption
I have consistently felt drawn to the Catholic press due to our ability, our potential, and our mission to convey tales of inspiration. Throughout my almost 20 years in Catholic media, I have been fortunate enough to articulate the narratives of remarkable men and women who have endeavored to pursue the Lord in their lives. Their journeys haven’t always been simple. Errors occurred, and there were hurdles and setbacks, but the essential thread of each narrative remained unchanged: These were individuals who deliberately opted to love Jesus Christ, and they permitted that love to significantly transform their lives.
This narrative belongs to the saints as well, doesn’t it? We desire it to be our narrative, too.
One of the most uplifting tales I’ve encountered in quite a while appeared as my reading for Labor Day Weekend — “The Big Hustle: A Boston Street Kid’s Story of Addiction and Redemption” authored by Jim Wahlberg and released by OSV earlier this month.
Jim came to OSV in January 2019 and recounted his experiences with us at that time. The audience in the room was full, and still, you could have heard a pin drop as Jim unfolded his narrative. His life had been anything but easy — quite the opposite, in fact. He experienced homelessness and struggled with alcoholism even before he was of legal age to drive. He made bad choices. He got into trouble with the law. He was disconnected from his family. It was anticipated that he would cycle in and out of incarceration for the remainder of his life, or perish on the streets unnoticed by anyone.
Rather, Jim stood before us in Huntington, Indiana, recounting his story of how his effort to accept the offered compassion of a priest during his time in prison — the “ideal scheme” — resulted in a meeting with Mother Teresa that transformed his life.
“I merely gazed at her and for the initial time in my life, I witnessed genuine humility. I perceived love. I recognized saintliness,” Jim documented. “I didn’t grasp every detail of what had occurred, but I realized I wished to explore more about it. Immediately after, I approached Father Jim Fratus and expressed my desire to deepen my understanding of my faith. And I can only envision that he returned to his office and remarked, ‘Check that box — I’ve got one.’”
However, Jim’s journey towards redemption and a faith-focused life is merely one aspect of the narrative. He recounts the tale of his eldest son’s battle with addiction and the Catholic community that provided him a new opportunity at life. Additionally, he discusses his current mission to raise awareness. of the dangers of addiction through film, the latest of which is “What About the Kids?”
“Everyone has a purpose they are meant to fulfill,” he states. “I believe that God is guiding me to create these films, to initiate these discussions. Whenever I contemplate moving forward, about stepping back, I recall the families who have experienced loss …. I don’t assert that I possess all the solutions, but if we unite in prayer, share with one another, and care for each other, I must believe we are headed in the right direction.”
Although Jim’s narrative is mainly autobiographical — and certainly an engaging autobiography, to say the least — it is profoundly steeped in faith. It concludes not with an exclamation point emphasizing his own journey, which he describes as ongoing, but rather with a summons — indeed, a summons to holiness — that resonates with every one of us.
If you share my passion for Catholic media due to its uplifting narratives, “The Big Hustle” is a must-see for you.
Gretchen R. Crowe is editorial director for periodicals at OSV. Follow her on Twitter @GretchenOSV.
