Ascension publishes Priest in the Wild: Stories of Meeting God in the Everyday, inviting Catholics to discover encounters with God in their ordinary moments.
[Exton, PA - August 27, 2026] Priest in the Wild: Stories of Meeting God in the Everyday is Ascension’s latest book for the faithful who wonder if God is really present in the middle of daily life when things feel repetitive, exhausting, or mundane.
Through honest and deeply human reflections on meeting Jesus in places most people would never expect, Fr. Luke Doyle, Chaplain at the University of Kansas shares how God uses everyday experiences like traveling for work, or sitting in a waiting room to draw his children into deeper communion with him.
With a short prayer to a relevant saint at the end of each chapter, and Fr. Luke’s personal stories of encountering Christ in everyday moments, this book shows readers that they do not need to have it all together to follow Christ, but rather challenges them to go deeper in their own relationship with him.
“Jesus was often asked by his friends, ‘teach us to pray’, and while I am by no means an accomplished spiritual writer, I have found that when I share my prayer with others, it can help strengthen their own capacity to notice God and move with him in their own lives.” Fr. Luke continues, “I wrote this for any person who is wanting to grow in friendship with Christ. I walk in the footsteps of the greatest storyteller in history and, like him, I believe in the power of a good story's ability to teach, encourage, inspire, and heal.”
Priest in the Wild is the perfect companion for other Ascension titles including, Habits for Holiness, and Unshakeable.
Priest in the Wild is available at www.AscensionPress.com/Wild
Praise for Priest in the Wild
“Fr. Luke Doyle’s Priest in the Wild is a refreshing invitation to discover that God is not confined to extraordinary moments. He is already waiting to meet us in the ordinary circumstances, relationships, joys, and messiness of everyday life. Drawing from his experience as a young priest and missionary disciple, Fr. Doyle combines personal stories, humor, Scripture, and Catholic wisdom in a way that is engaging without sacrificing depth. The result is more than a collection of good stories. It is an invitation to see our own stories as part of the greater story God is writing and to discover anew the adventure of life with Christ. Priest in the Wild will especially resonate with young adults and anyone looking for a fresh, accessible way into the spiritual life.”
–Archbishop James Checchio
Archdiocese of New Orleans
“Fr. Luke has been a gifted homilist as long as I have known him, and now we see those gifts through the written word. In this book, Fr. Luke helps people of all ages connect the wisdom of Scripture with some of life’s greatest pleasures; the outdoors, movies and sports. I was glad to see him share his love for baseball and his hometown team within these pages. Wonderfully told and well done!”
–J.J. Picollo
General Manager of the Kansas City Royals
“As a former Major League Baseball All-Star, I know the value of having a great game plan. Success on the field didn’t happen by accident—it came through discipline, preparation, hard work, and persevering through failure. The same is true in the spiritual life.
Priest in the Wild by Fr. Luke Doyle is the kind of playbook every Catholic needs. Through relatable stories, practical wisdom, and an authentic love for Jesus Christ, Fr. Luke reminds us that holiness isn’t reserved for a select few—it’s the calling of every one of us. His message challenges and inspires me to become the man God created me to be, not the man the world wants me to settle for.
One of my favorite reminders comes from St. Catherine of Siena: “Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire.” That’s exactly what my friend Fr. Luke encourages his readers to do. This book is more than an inspiring read—it’s a guide for imperfect followers of Jesus striving to become saints. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who, through Christ and the sacraments, desires to become the person God created them to be. Fr. Luke Doyle is in a league of his own!”
–Mike Sweeney
Special Assistant to Leadership Development/Baseball Operations | Kansas City Royals
“In Priest in the Wild, Fr. Luke Doyle invites readers into the heart of a spiritual father. While priests accompany the people of God and offer them the grace of the Sacraments, they are also continually transformed by God's presence in their own prayer, ministry, and the lives of those they serve; as they give, they are given to.
With honesty and sincerity, Fr. Luke Doyle shares graces and events that have shaped his vocation, offering readers a glimpse into the heart of a priest and the ways God is at work in the ordinary and extraordinary moments of priestly ministry. Priest in the Wild invites readers to reflect on who the priest is, not just what he does, offering insight into the spirituality and identity of the priesthood. Priest in the Wild would be beneficial for anyone seeking to come to know the heart and spirituality of the priesthood, as well as for an individual discerning a priestly vocation.”
–Fr. Eric Garris
Vocations Director, Diocese of Cleveland, OH
About the Author
Fr. Luke Doyle was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in KS in May, 2021. His academic studies took place at Creighton University (Omaha, NE), Kenrick-Glennon Seminary (St. Louis, MO), the Augustine Institute (St. Louis, MO), the University of Mary (Bismarck, ND), the National Catholic Bioethics Center (Philadelphia, PA), the Pontifical North American College, and the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Rome, Italy). Shortly after his priestly ordination, Fr. Doyle was privileged to serve the Church in the United States as a preacher during the National Eucharistic Revival. He attributes his priestly vocation to the intercession and love of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Fr. Doyle has been serving the Church of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in KS as the Chaplain and Director of the St. Lawrence Catholic Center at the University of Kansas since July, 2024.
About Ascension
Ascension is one of the most trusted publishers of Catholic books and digital media today. For over 25 years, Ascension has helped nurture the faith of more than 20 million people through award-winning resources including the chart-topping “The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)” podcast, the groundbreaking “The Great Adventure Bible” study program, bestselling Bibles, over 50 faith formation programs, and Ascension Presents—one of the largest Catholic YouTube channels in the world.
Media Contact
For author interviews or other media inquiries, please contact Newsroom@AscensionPress.com.