Father Vincent Pineda of Saint Francis of Assisi parish began running at age 46. Very quickly, the parallels between racing and faith became apparent. These insights led to his first book, Grace in Motion: Discovering God on the Run.

With brief, very accessible chapters for readers of all ages, this semi-autobiographical work allows Father to reflect on the rigors of marathon training and its parallels to the spiritual life.  In both cases, perseverance requires grace. Father Vincent recounts his own experience running the Chicago Marathon in 2024, while nursing an injury. He shares what kept him going:

“Whether we run through city streets or forest trails, each step can become a word in an ongoing conversation with the Divine.” (57)

This is what moves — excuse the pun — Father Vincent’s Grace in Motion away from being simply about running: while he shares both the challenges and triumphs of physical training, he is also encountering new ways to welcome grace. The reader is invited to reflect on their own encounters with Grace and their relationship with Christ, in the literal and metaphorical race of life. Be assured, Grace in Motion is equal parts a reflective and lighthearted read!

Father began running when his friend Aileen invited him to her running group, with the gentle invitation, “Come when you can.”  These simple words resonated deeply with Father, who humbly admitted he was deeply in need of personal transformation.

Finishing a race, or crossing any of life’s finish lines, is not the point; Father insists. It is who we become along the way. Whether running miles at dawn or just making one’s way gingerly to their coffee pot in the morning, all Christians are invited to surrender to grace and set a pace where faith and life form a complementary rhythm.

Father Vincent draws from his experiences as a priest and from scripture to unpack how the Spiritual life mirrors the training of a runner. The chapter “Running with Others,” for instance, explores the importance of community as a means of deeper spiritual growth. “Running with others also teaches us profound lessons...we find unity not in our sameness but in our shared purpose and mutual support.” (68)

Whether one is a devotee of running or not, the pages of the book become a journey in themselves, with quotes from famous figures and ‘trail markers’ throughout that contain a few questions for prayer and reflection. It is also available on audiobook, read by Father himself, with chapter lengths not exceeding 10 min.

Father Vincent Pineda’s book is more than just a runner’s story – it will get you moving, if not physically, then spiritually – or both!

Grace in Motion was reviewed in both print and via audiobook by the editor.