Walter Ciszek was an American-born Jesuit priest who, unknown to family or friends, spent 23 years in the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War. For 15 years he was imprisoned as a "spy of the Vatican," and then worked as a common laborer before his family and Jesuit superiors learned of his plight and worked to bring him home. In Russia he remained faithful to his vows, celebrating Mass and hearing confessions in secret despite the dangers he faced.
In March 2012 Father Ciszek's cause for sainthood took a major step forward when the Congregation for the Doctrine of the saints declared the investigation into his cause valid. Here we offer a new edition of his compelling autobiography, featuring a new introduction by James Martin, S.J., and an afterword by Daniel L. Flaherty, the Jesuit who helped Ciszek to tell his tale.
