Daniel Berrigan

About the Author

Daniel Berrigan was a Jesuit priest, poet, and peace activist whose life and writings were profoundly shaped by his commitment to social justice and opposition to war. Born in 1921 in Virginia, he entered the Society of Jesus in 1939 and was ordained in 1952, later teaching literature and theology while becoming a vocal critic of the Vietnam War. His activism led to dramatic confrontations with authority, including his role in the Catonsville Nine draft file burning in 1968, which inspired his seminal work The Trial of the Catonsville Nine. Berrigan's literary output blended spiritual insight with prophetic urgency, as seen in Isaiah: Spirit of Courage, Gift of Tears, where he explores the biblical prophet's enduring message of compassion and resistance. Throughout his career, he authored over 50 books, essays, and plays, challenging readers to confront injustice with faith and nonviolent courage until his death in 2016.