Review by Anna Weaver
Hawaii Catholic Herald
“52 Masses: A Journey to Experience Catholicism Across America.” By Daniel Markham. Peregrino Press
Some people have a bucket list to visit all of the U.S. states. Daniel Markham upped that goal to include attending Mass in all 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.
Markham set this goal prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed its execution. But in the course of two years, he did indeed attend 52 Masses across the country. In his new book, “52 Masses: A Journey to Experience Catholicism Across America,” he recounts each of those Masses and other Catholic stories he collected along the way.
“I wrote about specific ministries, evangelization efforts, individual’s stories, etc.,” Markham wrote to the Hawaii Catholic Herald, explaining his book concept. “The idea was to explore the many ways we’re living our faith as Catholics, while highlighting the diversity and vibrancy of our universal church.”
Two of the “52 Masses” chapters directly relate to Hawaii. In one, Markham writes about his Oahu visit where he and his family attended the Hawaiian language Mass at St. Rita Parish in Nanakuli presided over by its pastor, Father Alapaki Kim.
However, much of the chapter includes interviews with EPIC Ministry leaders Kainoa Fukumoto, Malcolm Zara and Dallas Carter. He talks with them about the founding of the young adult ministry on Oahu and its expansion, including the Kupuna Needs project that helped bring food and supplies to the elderly during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Vermont chapter focuses on the art of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Stowe, Vermont. That church just happens to be built on the farmland where Joseph Dutton was born. Dutton is, of course, the layman who worked with Sts. Damien and Marianne in Kalaupapa and whose canonization process was recently launched.
The exterior art of Blessed Sacrament was done by French artist Andre Girard and depicts Dutton’s and St. Damien’s work in Kalaupapa. The church interior also has unique art by Girard on the walls, ceiling and even windows.
You can buy “52 Masses” at 52masses.square.site or on Amazon.
