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House on McAllister Street

Father Fessio's Ignatius Press

By Chris Lande

In the intelligence business, it could serve as a typical 'safe house' -- a nondescript building in a residential neighborhood without any distinguishing signs or features that might give a few clues as to what takes place inside.

The three-story place at 2515 McAllister Street in San Francisco houses Ignatius Press, one of the most successful Catholic publishing companies in the world. "Our objective is to support the teachings of the Church," says Father Fessio, a native of Alameda and long time resident of the Bay Area. He publishes such works as the Holy Bible, the lives of the saints, personal accounts of conversions, and a best seller on the AIDS epidemic, Gene Anotonio's The Aids Cover-up? The latter has sold over a quarter million copies. Catholicism and Fundamentalism by Karl Keating and Scott and Kimberly Hahn's Rome Sweet Home are also two of the press's most popular titles. Fessio launched the press in 1978 and published its first book in 1979. Although closely linked to the University of San Francisco, Father Fessio started the press as an independent entity. The first books were mostly translations of European books into English. Fessio said, "We wanted to bring to English readers the finest theologians of the century." Grants and donations kept it going through the early years, which were lean. Fessio said, "We have always been able to pay our bills, in that sense we have been in the black." Although the profitability of Ignatius Press was achieved only five years ago, that is not a big motivator according to Fessio. Asked whether he sometimes publishes books without worrying if they sell, he said, "We always publish books because we like them or because they are good for the Church."

Last year, Ignatius Press received 596 manuscripts to look over. While he enlists staff to help him read incoming texts, Fessio makes the final decision which drafts make it to publication. He declined to suggest a particular tack for aspiring Catholic writers before submitting materials. He said, "Because I can't predict what I will like." Fiction may be the hardest sell for Ignatius Press. "I like real books, books that have a unity and coherence," Fessio said. "I like books where I learn something, where there is something factual." According to him, there is a great demand for apologetics and stories of conversion to the faith. A Jesuit for forty years, Father Fessio went to Bellarmine Prep in San Jose and attended Santa Clara University for three years before joining the order. His studies included five years of theology work in France and Germany. In spite of the some of the current problems in the Church, Father Fessio sees reasons for optimism. "There have been quite a few encouraging trends in recent years," he points out. "Catholic radio and television, home schooling, Protestant ministers converting, lay newsletters, and the new Catholic Ave Maria Law School in Michigan." A number of Catholic books have reached the top of the New York Times best-seller list including Pope John Paul II's Crossing The Threshold of Hope and Gift And Mystery, as well as The Catechism of the Catholic Church.

In the Ignatius offices, which once served as a Carmelite residence, fifteen employees have helped publish more than 800 books, and distributed at least another 200 -- on top of this, they turn out videos, magazines, audio cassettes, and compact discs. Staffers also maintain a website (www.ignatius.com) with details about the press, available titles, and how to order materials. The press is seeing increased profits through their web business. Asked whether he fears competition from giant retailers like Amazon.com, Fessio said, "Not at all. They sell our books."

Thirteen years ago, Riz Marsella had just given birth to a daughter when Father Fessio called her to produce free-lance artwork for Ignatius books. Before meeting Fessio, she had fallen away from the faith. "I'm a born-again Catholic because of Ignatius Press," she said. Before flex-time became fashionable, Marsella was able to take care of her daughter while producing art over the years for the covers of Ignatius books. "Father practices what he preaches -- families come first," she said. Marsella also finds Fessio an essential resource for answering questions from her thirteen-year old daughter. "She came to me and asked since Blessed Mary did not have a trace of original sin, did she feel pain in child-birth. Where else could I find the answer to a question like that?" Marsella does not consider living in San Francisco to be an impediment to practicing her faith. She credits insights from Ignatius books for helping her plant spiritual seeds among her friends in the city, including some who are homosexuals. Marsella said, "I have some gay friends. [Because of Ignatius books] I see what I can say to them now." Marsella says she mostly encourages prayer and advises the people who have fallen away to ask God to open their hearts. She said, "God probably put me at Ignatius Press because He knew I would face these challenges."

Nellie Boldrick has worked as the press's assistant to the editor for four and a half years. "It's a great opportunity to work for the Church," she said. She enjoys the friendly atmosphere and the culture of holiness built around the press. She said, "Sometimes people write letters and talk about being converted by Ignatius books. Although I play a minor role, it is very gratifying to help get these books out."

Mark Brumley is in charge of the press's magazine department. He is the managing editor of two of these, Catholic Faith and Catholic Dossier. All told, the magazines go out to over 35,000 subscribers. Brumley does editorial projects and hosts a weekly radio show, Off the Shelf, which airs on EWTN short-wave network and other Catholic radio stations around the country. He said, "What I find most gratifying about being with Ignatius Press is when I reflect on what I do, I feel like I'm doing what God wants me to do. It's exciting."

Among the magazines produced by the Press are Catholic Dossier, Homeletic and Pastoral Review, Catholic World Report, and Catholic Faith. "In The Footsteps Of God" a 10-part video now being produced by the Ignatius Press in the Holy Land and Greece by Steve Raye, a former Protestant minister and convert to the faith, has gotten underway and the initial episode will be completed in March.

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