Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion

Written by Gregory Boyle

Narrated by Gregory Boyle

“Destined to become a classic of both urban reportage and contemporary spirituality” (Los Angeles Times)—Tattoos on the Heart is a series of parables about kinship and redemption from pastor, activist, and renowned speaker, Father Gregory Boyle.

Thirty years ago, Gregory Boyle founded Homeboy Industries, a gang-intervention, rehabilitation, and reentry program in Los Angeles, the gang capital of the world. In Tattoos on the Heart, his debut book, he distills his experience working with gang members into a breathtaking series of parables inspired by faith.

From giant, tattooed Cesar, shopping at JC Penney fresh out of prison, you learn how to feel worthy of God’s love. From ten-year-old Pipi you learn the importance of being known and acknowledged. From Lulu you come to understand the kind of patience necessary to rescue someone from the dark—as Father Boyle phrases it, we can only shine a flashlight on a light switch in a darkened room.

This is a motivating look at how to stay faithful in spite of failure, how to meet the world with a loving heart, and how to conquer shame with boundless, restorative love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Mar 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781797130941

Gregory Boyle

Gregory Boyle is an American Jesuit priest and the founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, the largest gang-intervention, rehabilitation, and re-entry program in the world. He has received the California Peace Prize and been inducted into the California Hall of Fame. In 2014, the President Obama named Boyle a Champion of Change. He received the University of Notre Dame’s 2017 Laetare Medal, the oldest honor given to American Catholics. He is the acclaimed author of Tattoos on the Heart, Barking to the Choir, and The Whole Language. Cherished Belonging is his fourth book, and he will be donating all net proceeds to Homeboy Industries.

Reviews for Tattoos on the Heart

[Andrew Metzger · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Life changing book! God bless Father Greg Boyle and his flock.

[Rosario Villarreal · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The feelings and open mind he was able to create in me

[Philip Scolaro · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book makes more sense and brings more rest than you can imagine. The most life-changing thing I’ve ever read.

[Brady Braatz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I listen to this book a couple of times a year. It’s the best.

[Karen Kelly · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing to write such an uplifting book on a tragic fate for so many folks. A beautiful, honest book!

[Violaine · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow, so incredibly inspiring, touching, deeply moving, with funny moments. Just finished and I am going to read it again!

[Dixon de Leña · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

To hear the stories of Homeboy Industries in Fr. Greg Boyles' own words in very powerful. While he's got his stories well memorized, it's worth noting the severity and impact of the work that he's involved with. I can listen to Home Boy and HomeGirl Industries forever because they are real stories of transformation and trust in the capacity to heal the deepest human experiences.

[Quincy Miller · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book changed my life. One of the best, most meaningful books I’ve ever read.