{"product_id":"look-magazine-march-4-1958-a-priest-s-own-story-by-father-ralph-pfau-and-al-hirshberg-1","title":"Look Magazine — March 4, 1958 | “A Priest’s Own Story” by Father Ralph Pfau and Al Hirshberg","description":"\u003ch3 data-end=\"336\" data-start=\"236\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"336\" data-start=\"240\"\u003eLook Magazine — March 4, 1958 | “A Priest’s Own Story” by Father Ralph Pfau and Al Hirshberg\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"577\" data-start=\"338\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"352\" data-start=\"338\"\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem data-end=\"359\" data-start=\"353\"\u003eLook\u003c\/em\u003e Magazine | Cowles Magazines, Inc.\u003cbr data-end=\"396\" data-start=\"393\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"405\" data-start=\"396\"\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e March 4, 1958\u003cbr data-end=\"422\" data-start=\"419\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"433\" data-start=\"422\"\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Softcover Magazine, 11\" × 14\"\u003cbr data-end=\"466\" data-start=\"463\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"480\" data-start=\"466\"\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Good — complete with no torn, missing, or loose pages. Light general wear consistent with age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" data-end=\"577\" data-start=\"338\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"670\" data-start=\"589\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\"A Priest Confesses\" advertised on the front cover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" data-end=\"577\" data-start=\"338\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"670\" data-start=\"589\"\u003eFeature Article: “A Priest’s Own Story” by Father Ralph Pfau and Al Hirshberg\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"864\" data-start=\"673\"\u003eThis issue of \u003cem data-end=\"693\" data-start=\"687\"\u003eLook\u003c\/em\u003e Magazine features the remarkable story of Father Ralph Pfau, a man whose honesty, humility, and humor helped countless alcoholics find a spiritual path to recovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"864\" data-start=\"673\"\u003e“This is an honest story, told by a man of religion who believes that, by exposing his own problems and suffering, he can bring hope and help to others.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"864\" data-start=\"673\"\u003eFather Pfau’s essay, written with journalist Al Hirshberg, was among the first national magazine features to spotlight the growing influence of Alcoholics Anonymous through the personal experience of a member who also happened to be a Roman Catholic priest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1475\" data-start=\"1298\"\u003eAt a time when alcoholism was still cloaked in stigma and misunderstanding, Pfau’s willingness to speak openly—under his own name—was an act of immense courage and compassion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1527\" data-start=\"1482\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1525\" data-start=\"1486\"\u003eAbout Father Ralph Pfau (1904–1967)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1760\" data-start=\"1528\"\u003eBorn in Indianapolis, Indiana, Ralph Pfau was ordained a priest in 1928. Behind his outward success as a clergyman, however, he struggled privately with alcoholism—a condition then rarely discussed in religious or medical circles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2115\" data-start=\"1762\"\u003eIn 1943, Pfau encountered Alcoholics Anonymous, where he found not only sobriety but a new understanding of spiritual life. He is believed to have been the first Roman Catholic priest to join A.A., and he quickly recognized that the Twelve Steps offered a universal path toward spiritual renewal, transcending denomination and dogma.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2528\" data-start=\"2117\"\u003ePfau began writing under the pseudonym “Father John Doe,” publishing his beloved \u003cem data-end=\"2256\" data-start=\"2243\"\u003eGolden Book\u003c\/em\u003e series, \u003cem\u003eSobriety and Beyond, Sobriety Without End, \u003c\/em\u003eand\u003cem\u003e The Prodigal Shepherd\u003c\/em\u003e. His writing blended psychology, spirituality, and A.A. wisdom, and his books became staples at meetings and retreats across the country.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"2528\" data-start=\"2117\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1435\" data-start=\"1419\"\u003eSignificance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1672\" data-start=\"1438\"\u003eThis 1958 \u003cem data-end=\"1454\" data-start=\"1448\"\u003eLook\u003c\/em\u003e Magazine issue holds historical importance for collectors of A.A. and recovery literature, as it represents one of the earliest national media portrayals of Alcoholics Anonymous through the voice of a priest-member.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1672\" data-start=\"1438\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1703\" data-start=\"1684\"\u003eCondition Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"1839\" data-start=\"1706\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1732\" data-start=\"1706\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1732\" data-start=\"1708\"\u003eGood overall condition\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1756\" data-start=\"1733\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1756\" data-start=\"1735\"\u003eComplete and intact\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1793\" data-start=\"1757\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1793\" data-start=\"1759\"\u003eNo missing, loose, or torn pages\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1839\" data-start=\"1794\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1839\" data-start=\"1796\"\u003eLight wear and toning consistent with age\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1905\" data-start=\"1841\"\u003ePlease review all photos for a detailed view of the condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2076\" data-start=\"1912\"\u003eA scarce and desirable issue — highlighting the intersection of faith, recovery, and early A.A. history through the courageous testimony of Father Ralph Pfau.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Recovery Collectibles","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49757450502386,"sku":null,"price":75.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/DA2F46D3-A20F-4059-8114-C903E93D5CA9.jpg?v=1783140272","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/look-magazine-march-4-1958-a-priest-s-own-story-by-father-ralph-pfau-and-al-hirshberg-1","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}