Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion

Reading Check and Short Answer questions on key plot points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

Introduction-Chapters 3

Reading Check

1. When did Boyle act as pastor for the Dolores Mission Church in Los Angeles?

2. In what Los Angeles neighborhood was Boyle active?

3. Who helped transform Jobs for a Future into Homeboy Industries?

4. Why did Homeboy Industries’ bakery burn down?

5. What is the entire book about, according to Boyle?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What was one of Boyle’s first initiatives at Dolores Mission Church? Why?

2. How did Boyle’s parishioners foster a welcoming attitude toward gang members?

3. What was Jobs for a Future?

4. What happened when the host of 60 Minutes came to Homeboy Industries?

5. Why was it important that Cesar asked if he was Boyle’s son?

6. Why does Boyle refer to shame and disgrace as “great weights”?

7. Why is compassion important, according to Boyle?

Paired Resource

“Ten Elements of Ignatian Spirituality”

• This web page introduces readers to the Society of Jesus and Ignatian Spirituality.
• Is it useful to have this background to Father Boyle’s spirituality? Why or why not?

“Our Mission | Homeboy Industries”

• This page from the Homeboy Industries website describes the organization’s mission.
• Have you already seen elements of this mission in the stories you’ve read so far? Where?

Chapters 4-6

Reading Check

1. Why was Elias nervous when Boyle asked him to receive an award on his behalf?

2. Who was “Jesus in an apron” to the homies?

3. What did Boyle think was going to happen when Jerome insulted Juan’s singing?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why did Miguel invite other homies to his apartment when they used to be enemies?

2. Why did Jason give up selling drugs?

3. What does it mean when Boyle repeats that Jesus said, “You are a light”?

4. What lesson does Boyle take from Grumpy’s eventual agreement to have his tattoos removed?

5. What is the darker, more difficult side of Boyle’s work?

6. How did Boyle reframe “taking care” when Carlos said he had to take care of whoever killed Psycho?

7. What did it mean when Pedro described Boyle using a flashlight to show him a light switch in his dream?

Paired Resource

“IFTJ 2021 - Breakout Session with Homeboy Industries, Gang Members and the Marrow of the Gospel”

• This video shows a session at the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice with words from both Father Boyle and two of the homies; watch it through the presentations of the two young men (to 8:55).
• You’ve heard so much from Father Boyle. What is your reaction to hearing from some of the homies themselves?

Chapters 7-9

Reading Check

1. When did Spider eat?

2. What did Boyle’s father request when he was first admitted to the hospital?

3. What did Ricky say when he and Adam were riding on a plane with Fr. Boyle?

4. What did Boyle say a dove symbolizes?

5. Why does Boyle give out his card?

6. Why did Bandit want Boyle to bless his daughter?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What stood out to Boyle about Moreno’s interest in biology?

2. Why does Boyle describe Soledad as heroic?

3. Why does Boyle describe a mortician’s incredulity by saying “kinship remains elusive”?

Paired Resource

“One of the Most Inspirational Speeches from Gangsters”

• This short video presents a commencement address from Fr. Boyle in which he describes what he’s learned from the homies.
• How does hearing Boyle tell this story affect your experience of reading Tattoos on the Heart?

Recommended Next Reads 

The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life by James Martin, SJ

• A book about the Jesuits—the order of priests to which Boyle belongs—and Ignatian spirituality
• The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything on SuperSummary

Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship by Gregory Boyle

• Another book by Gregory Boyle that discusses kinship and his work with Homeboy Industries
• Barking to the Choir on SuperSummary