We Are Not Saints: the Series

Series Overview:

We Are Not Saints is a series of four books, each covering a decade or more in the life of one of four principal characters: Father Jared Röhrbach, Father Paul Fortis, seminarian Jeff Hensen, and high school sophomore Randy Carter. These four young gay Catholic men struggle, not so much with their religion or their sexuality, but with living authentically as sexual men of faith. Like all of us, some do a better job of it than others.

The Books

Book 1: The Priest

Jared and Paul, lifelong friends and partners in life and love, are ordained together and begin their priestly ministry. Their first assignments will show them in stark relief the challenges they are about to face in ministry and in their relationship. The responsibilities put on them by their bishop, Bishop Mickleson, and Cardinal Romero set the two partners against one another.

Book 2: The Acolyte

Expert skateboarder Randy Carter lives with his mother, Kyte, and step-father, Kip. But it’s the nurse next door, Lavonda, who really raised the boy and his “sister,” Kiesha is his best friend. His spiritual life revolves around his church where he’s an acolyte and his pastor, Father Sean. When he meets Michael, the love of his life, his world comes apart and he’s left searching for the family he’s never known.

Book 3: The Monk

Jeff Hensen figured that, as a gay man, the seminary was not for him. Instead, he got his law degree and started practicing law in San Luis Obispo, CA near his closest friends, Jared and Paul. His first case after law school puts him face-to-face with a controversy in a parish school involving a sex offender and a possible child abuse situation. It grows to overshadow his life.

Book 4: The Bishop

One of the cast of characters has been chosen by Cardinal Romero to succeed Bishop Mickleson. Far from the promotion he envisioned, the challenges of his office cause him to question his direction in life and his faith.