Incredibly Blessed | Austin Macauley Publishers ;
Best Book Publishers UK | Austin Macauley Publishers

By: Father Eugene Brown

Incredibly Blessed

Pages: 526 Ratings: 5.0
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An 89-year-old Roman Catholic priest from Minnesota fell in church and required surgery to repair a neck injury. During his recovery in a rehabilitation facility, he did not dwell on bad luck or misfortune but instead reflected on how blessed his life had been.

Born in Indiana, he arrived in Minnesota in a shoebox at just three weeks old and grew up on a farm during the Great Depression. The smallest boy in his class and extremely shy, he first felt the call to the priesthood in sixth grade at his Catholic school. He attended high school and two years of college at a minor seminary in St. Paul, where he gradually overcame much of his shyness. He then continued his studies in philosophy and theology at a major seminary in St. Paul before being ordained as a priest.

His ministry took him to parishes in western Minnesota and to chaplaincy roles in Catholic nursing homes. Over the years, he traveled extensively, visiting Rome, the Holy Land, and a mission parish in Guatemala. His journeys also took him to 22 countries, including the Galápagos, the Amazon, the Antarctic Peninsula, and Easter Island.

This is the story of a life filled with challenges, adventures, and countless blessings.

Father Eugene Brown is a retired priest of the Diocese of New Ulm, Minnesota. He was ordained in 1960 and served as pastor of small parishes in western Minnesota and as senior associate for a total of 40 years. On vacations and after retirement, he traveled to Europe, Guatemala and the Holy Land; to Alaska, the Caribbean and Hawaii; to the Galapagos and the Upper Amazon; to Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and South Africa; to the British and Irish Isles; to South Georgia, Antarctica and Easter Island. His experiences as pastor as well as descriptions and photographs of some of these trips are in this memoir.

Customer Reviews
5.0
13 reviews
13 reviews
  • Nonhlanhla Dube | South Africa

    The journey of self- discovery, from the smallest and shyest boy in class to a priest who guided others, is the strongest thread in this narrative. The blend of Catholic history with personal anecdotes creates a rich texture. It’s clear from the book, and from watching his interview, that his deep-seated faith enabled his extensive explorations. A truly blessed life, measured not in wealth, but in experiences and service.

  • David Chen | Canada

    Father Brown's memoir is a quiet masterpiece of perspective. He views his life—from the Great Depression to a neck injury—not with complaint, but with overwhelming gratitude. The detailed accounts of his travels, especially his trip to the Antarctic, show a lively curiosity that never faded. The book is an inspiring read about a long, fruitful life, reinforcing the Bratton interview's theme that blessing is a choice of focus, not an accident of circumstance.

  • Maria Silva | Brazil

    What a gentle and profound story! His ministry to the sick and elderly alongside his vast global adventures paints a complete picture of a man who saw no boundary between serving God, serving people, and experiencing the incredible diversity of creation. The honesty about overcoming shyness is a great message for young readers. I especially appreciated the light shed on his work in Guatemala during the This Week in America discussion, showing a heart for mission.

  • Renata Kowalski | Poland

    A moving tribute to the strength of simple faith and a life of purposeful service. The contrast between his humble beginnings and his eventual travels to 22 countries, including the Antarctic Peninsula, gives the memoir a truly epic scope. He doesn't shy away from the challenges but consistently reframes them as opportunities. His quiet, thoughtful manner, evident in the interview, is perfectly captured on the page. Highly recommended for anyone seeking an uplifting life story.

  • Hans Müller | Germany

    A very well-paced and honest autobiography. The journey from a small, shy boy to a man of the cloth who commands respect while maintaining his gentle nature is inspirational. I found the sections on his philosophical and theological studies in St. Paul particularly insightful into his development. The narrative's focus on reflection during recovery is a powerful framework for the entire book. It's a superb example of personal growth through vocation.

  • Aisha Khan | United Arab Emirates

    The memoir beautifully articulates the concept of being 'Incredibly Blessed,' not just by good fortune, but by the ability to perceive and appreciate the blessings in everyday life and in every challenge. His dedication to the mission parish in Guatemala shows his genuine commitment to global outreach. This is a story of a long life lived fully and without regret, a theme that resonated strongly in the author's calm demeanor during the Ric Bratton segment.

  • Ricardo Perez | Spain

    This book is a delightful surprise. I expected a solemn priestly memoir but found an incredible travelogue woven through a life of faith. Visiting the Amazon, Galápagos, and Easter Island—his adventurous spirit is truly remarkable for a man of his background. The discussion on This Week in America about his travels was captivating. He is a wonderful example of how one can be fully dedicated to a spiritual life while being completely engaged with the world.

  • Mei Lin | Singapore

    What struck me most was his resilience. Growing up during the Great Depression and struggling with extreme shyness, he chose a path of service that forced him to grow. His dedication to his ministry, followed by such an adventurous retirement, shows that life’s blessings often come from stepping outside one's comfort zone. The interview gave great context to the challenges of his early life, contrasting the Great Depression farm life with his later global perspective.

  • Liam O'Connell | Ireland

    A marvelous read! The story of the boy arriving in a shoebox sets the perfect, evocative tone for a life full of unexpected turns. I loved the chapters on his time in the seminary, detailing how he slowly shed his shyness. His ability to connect with people across 22 countries, as mentioned in the text, is clearly reflected in his warm, accessible writing style. Ric Bratton's questions drew out the simple, powerful philosophy of his life

  • Dr. Arjun Sharma | India

    This book is a profound study in humility and human connection. The way he integrated his chaplaincy roles in Catholic nursing homes with his extensive world travels—two seemingly opposite spheres—speaks volumes about his character. The This Week in America interview highlighted his commitment to lifelong learning and empathy. An excellent autobiography that transcends religious boundaries to offer universal wisdom

  • Sofia Rossi | Italy

    Coming from a Catholic background, I found Father Brown's spiritual journey incredibly relatable. His descriptions of Rome and the Holy Land felt personal and vibrant. What truly resonated was the idea of finding blessing in every challenge. His gentle humor, which was apparent both in the book and during the This Week in America segment, made even the tough parts of his story feel uplifting. A beautiful reflection on service and joy.

  • Kenji Tanaka | Japan

    The memoir provides a fascinating contrast between the rigid, traditional life of a 1930s Minnesota farm and the sheer breadth of the modern world he later explored—from the Galápagos to Antarctica. The book beautifully illustrates the universal theme of overcoming shyness to embrace a larger purpose. Watching the interview solidified my appreciation for his quiet strength; his life is a testament to the power of a single, sustained vocation.

  • Marie Dubois | France

    As a reader, I was initially drawn in by the book's profound sense of gratitude—a refreshing perspective, especially in the face of adversity, as Father Brown experienced with his fall. The interview with Ric Bratton underscored the author's authentic, humble voice. The journey from a shy farm boy during the Great Depression to a seasoned world traveler and priest is truly inspiring. His reflections on faith are deeply moving, yet never preachy.

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