TATTOOS ON THE HEART
Summer Reading Study Questions
Theology 12 - Social Justice – Mr. Teixeira
This summer you will be reading Tattoos on the Heart by Fr. Greg Boyle, SJ.
The attached questions are to be completed neatly and in full and turned in on the first full day of
school in August. After a review, you will be tested on this book during the first week of school.
Jug will be assigned, as well as a 10% grade reduction, for every day the reading guide is late and / or
incomplete. Sloppy or illegible work will be returned and considered incomplete.
Responses are to be typed (preferred) or neatly written following this format for each chapter:
Chapter Title:
Quotation: with reason (s) for choice
(9 @ 10 points each)
Chapter Questions
(49 @ 2 points each)
1. Each question’s response is to be numbered
2. Answer all questions
3. Typically, a one-three sentence response is sufficient.
 Reflection Question: A one paragraph response (min. 6-8 sentences) (7 @10 points each)
 Summary Reflections: Choose any two questions and write one-two paragraphs minimum
incorporating at least one quote from the book.
(2 @30 points each)
Questions? I can be reached at: cteixeira@crhss.org
Have a Great Summer!
TATTOOS
ON THE
HEART
SUMMER READING STUDY QUESTIONS
Introduction: Dolores Mission and Homeboy Industries
1. Explain the significance of the reference to Julian of Norwich’s statement on the life struggle. (p. 16‐7)
2. What does it mean to “live with a full moon in each eye”? How does Fr. Boyle do this? (p. 17)
Chapter 1: God, I Guess

As you read through this chapter, write down at least one direct quotation that you find particularly
important or interesting and explain why you chose that particular quotation.
1. Fr. Boyle says Jesus chose to “marinate in the God who is always greater than our tiny conception, the God
who ‘loves without measure and without regret’.” What does this mean, according to Fr. Boyle? Do you
believe that you do this? Explain. (p. 22)
2. Fr. Boyle asked Willy two questions. What are the questions he asked? What were Willy’s answers? What is
your answer to these questions at this point in your life? Explain. (p. 22‐4)
3. Fr. Boyle talks about the moment “when the utter fullness of God rushes in on you—when you completely
know the One in whom ‘you move and live and have your being,’ as St. Paul writes.” Has anything like that
happened in your life up to this point? Explain.
4. Fr. Boyle quotes the poet Rumi, who says, “Find the real world, give it endlessly away, grow rich flinging gold
to all who ask. Live at the empty heart of paradox. I’ll dance there with you—cheek to cheek.” How could it
be possible to grow rich by flinging gold to all who ask? (p. 26)
5. What does “God is greater than God” mean to you?
6. Fr. Boyle says “The desire of God’s heart is immeasurably larger than our imaginations can conjure. This
longing of God’s to give peace and assurance and a sense of well‐being only awaits our willingness to
cooperate with God’s limitless magnanimity.” What would it mean for you to cooperate with God’s limitless
magnanimity? (p. 27‐8)
 Reflection Question: How has this chapter influenced the way that you see God? Explain.
Chapter 2: Dis ‐Grace

As you read through this chapter, write down at least one direct quotation that you find particularly
important or interesting and explain why you chose that particular quotation.
1. There are 7 stories of shame in this chapter: a) Carmen (p. 41‐42); b) a gang member in prison (p. 43); c) the
little project kid (p. 43); d) Lefty (p. 43‐44); e) Danny (p. 45‐46); f) the kid moving to Mars (p. 51); g) the
homie who answers every questions with “me?” (p. 51). Which one of them comes closest to allowing “the
painful shame of others to have a purchase” on your life? Why do you think you were called to this story?
2. Why does the author think that Danny cried? (p. 46)
3. Distinguish guilt from shame. (p. 46)
4. There are three stories that express the thesis of this chapter: a) Lula (p. 47‐50); b) Cricket (p. 55); c) Speedy
(p. 55‐60). Pick one and explain how it expresses this thesis.
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TATTOOS
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SUMMER READING STUDY QUESTIONS
5. Explain the difference between the “one false move” God and the “no matter whatness” of God. (p.52).
6. Why does Fr. Boyle think that gang members like Sniper strut around? (p. 53‐54)
7. What is the name your mom uses (or used) for you when she’s not pissed off at you?
 Reflection Question: What did you learn about the feeling of shame among the marginalized?
Chapter 3: Compassion

As you read through this chapter, write down at least one direct quotation that you find particularly
important or interesting and explain why you chose that particular quotation.
1. Distinguish sympathy, empathy and compassion, Folsom‐style. (p. 61‐2)
2. How did compassion “find its way to vastness” for Fr. Boyle after Betito’s death? (p. 63‐67)
3. What form did compassion take for Jesus? (p. 72)
4. When the Latino who grew up in the projects said “This used to be a church,” what was Fr. Boyle’s reply? (p.
73)
5. What did the church smell like? (p. 72‐4)
6. How did Anthony & Dennis show that, “If we love what God loves, then, in compassion, margins get
erased?” (p. 75‐7)
7. How did Memo find solidarity? (p. 81‐2)
 Reflection Question: What is compassion really all about?
Chapter 4: Water, Oil, Flame

As you read through this chapter, write down at least one direct quotation that you find particularly
important or interesting and explain why you chose that particular quotation.
1. What perspective did Baptism give George that prevented him from seeking revenge? (p. 84‐7)
2. What reasoning leads to teen pregnancies in the barrios? (p. 90)
3. What common source drains the hope from the homies on these pages? (p. 91‐‐2)
4. How does Fr. Boyle’s dream teach Natalie resilience? (p. 92‐4)
5. Describe the conditional love of gangs and the remedy for it. (p. 94)
6. What did Elias need to learn when they clapped for him? (p. 104‐6)
7. Why do you think Fr. Boyle ended the chapter with such a tragic story? (p. 106‐8)
Chapter 5: Slow Work

As you read through this chapter, write down at least one direct quotation that you find particularly
important or interesting and explain why you chose that particular quotation.
1. Why does God wait, do you think? Why doesn’t God just intervene? (p. 113)
2. Besides waiting & trusting in the slow work of God, what did Fr. Boyle have to do before Grumpy
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TATTOOS
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SUMMER READING STUDY QUESTIONS
& Leo decided to change? (p. 111‐5)
3. How does Fr. Boyle reinterpret “take care of everything?” (p. 115‐7)
4. What is Fr. Boyle’s thesis about “slow work” here (p. 124)? Explain how it worked with Johnny.
5. Explain how Fr. Boyle’s thesis about “slow work” worked with Pedro, even though it did not work with
Jovan. (p. 125‐8)
Chapter 6: Jurisdiction

As you read through this chapter, write down at least one direct quotation that you find particularly
important or interesting and explain why you chose that particular quotation.
1. There are six stories in this chapter that explain Fr. Boyle’s idea of jurisdiction: a) Gato reconciles with Flaco
(p. 130‐3); b) Chepe & Richie in a restaurant (p. 134‐7); c) Representatives of 3 races at Mass (p. 137‐9); d)
Caldo de iguana (p. 139‐142); e) Artie & Danny in Oakland (p. 142‐3); f) Clever mourns for Travieso (p. 144‐
5).
Which of these stories moved you the most to see that the persons were in your jurisdiction?
Explain the process that allowed you to see that.
2. What is Fr. Boyle’s logic in employing gang enemies in the same store? (p. 142)
 Reflection Question: Describe a time when you have “wandered into” God’s own jurisdiction.
Chapter 7: Gladness

As you read through this chapter, write down at least one direct quotation that you find particularly
important or interesting and explain why you chose that particular quotation.
1. Write down which of these stories gave you the most delight, then read it again out of sheer gladness, and
tell it to someone you think might take delight in it too:
Filiberto calls in sick to a talk‐show (p. 147‐8); A homie has anal blindness (p. 148); Spider watches his kids
eat (p. 148‐149);
G’s father asks for a pillow (p. 150); Moreno “blaséing it” (p. 152‐4); Any of the
“homie‐propisms” listed here (p. 154‐6); Frankie smelling cologne (p. 157‐8); Jesus words to the good
ladrón (p. 158‐9); Marcos tells when his son is born (p. 159); Gonzo, Minor & Psycho almost get the gauge
on an owl (p. 159‐161); Israel & Tony nail the Mass responses (p. 161‐2); The Catholic Church retitles a
document (p. 162); Lorenzo learns to fly (p. 163); Rickie & Adam take a plane ride (p. 163‐6).
2. What does Fr. Boyle say about gladness?
3. Describe an example of a tiny God that shows you know how to recognize one, as Socorro did (p.151‐2).
4. When you walk into a room, who are you most like: Clinton, Gore, Bush or Jesus? (If you claim Jesus you
have to write how you can back it up).
 Reflection Question: When did you realize that God delights in our being?
Chapter 8: Success

As you read through this chapter, write down at least one direct quotation that you find particularly
important or interesting and explain why you chose that particular quotation.
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TATTOOS
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SUMMER READING STUDY QUESTIONS
1. Summarize Fr. Boyle’s take on success. (p. 168)
2. How do you work with the poor, according to Sister Elaine? (p. 172)
3. How was Jesus an equal opportunity pisser‐offer to both the right and the left? (p. 172)
4. According to Fr. Boyle, why did Jesus choose the cross? (p. 173)
5. According to Fr. Boyle’s perspective, what was the success of La Shady’s story?
6. By what logic did Soledad pray for the boy in the enemy gang? (p. 183‐6)
 Reflection Question: Do you agree with Fr. Boyle that there is something better than success? Explain
your answer using at least two examples from the chapter.
Chapter 9: Kinship

As you read through this chapter, write down at least one direct quotation that you find particularly
important or interesting and explain why you chose that particular quotation.
1. After reading the following stories, write what you think distinguishes kinship from success:
a) Fr. Boyle not the first person Louie visited. (p. 188): b) The reactions to Fr. Boyle’s leukemia. (p. 188‐190);
c) Lencho announcing his job from the back of the bus. (p. 191‐2); d) The gas gauge (p. 193‐4); e) Richard the
“black sheet.” (p. 194‐6); f) Fr. Boyle’s mom’s secret (p. 196); g) Blessing Bandit’s daughter (p. 197‐8).
2. How does kinship happen in an airplane? (p.198‐205)
3. What is kinship?
 Reflection Question: After reading this book, was your reaction to Chico’s death closer to Fr. Boyle’s or
the mortician’s? Explain how the book influenced your decision.
 Summary Reflections:
Please write a paragraph or two responding to ANY TWO of the following questions:
1. How would you define, or describe, the central lesson that Father Boyle passes on--both to the young
men in gangs. . .and to us, his readers?
2. Does Father Boyle’s approach to gang violence offer a realistic solution to a nationwide epidemic of
poverty-violence-despair? Why or why not? Can it be (has it been) replicated in other areas, other
cities? Or is his project too idealistic to work on a national scale? What do you think?
3. What couple of stories from Fr. Boyle’s experience struck you the most when reading? Why? (Be
specific. . .note page number reference.)
4. What emotions, feelings are evoked from you after reading this book? How do you think this will help
you prepare for your community service experience next year?
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