Driving for faith, family, and fairness In the summer of 2012, Sister Simone Campbell and a group of fellow Roman Catholic nuns toured parts of the country to rally support against Congressman Paul Ryan's budget, a plan that cut vital social programs for the hurting poor and the struggling middle class. Prayer groups turned into rallies, and small town meetings became national media events. Sister Simone became a galvanizing force for progressives of all stripes and remains a driving force for programs and policies that support tolerance, equality, and justice. Rooted in a deep spirituality of compassion and service, Sister Simone gives voice to the hunger, isolation, and fear that so many people in America feel. She shows how we can create real transformation in our communities through the contemplative life of prayer. These powerful, inspiring stories from the Nuns on the Bus tour and from Sister Simone's own life offer a fresh vision for a lived spirituality that is at the heart of today's progressive Christian movements working for change. “I truly believe that the Nuns on the Bus campaign changed the national conversation on our national priorities and our budget. Let me also congratulate one of my personal “sheroes,” and a clear and compelling voice for social justice: Sister Simone Campbell. I was so deeply moved by her powerful speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. She spoke about putting the gospel and faith to work in the real world. That’s what NETWORK has always done and continues to do.” - Senator Richard “Dick” Durbin “I truly believe that the Nuns on the Bus campaign changed the national conversation on our national priorities and our budget. .Let me also congratulate one of my personal “sheroes,” and a clear and compelling voice for social justice: Sister Simone Campbell.” - Senator Richard “Dick” Durbin “Who doesn’t love a feisty nun? The Catholicism of Sister Campbell…is the faith of social justice activists like Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton, the church whose pope pleaded for relief of the ‘misery and wretchedness pressing so unjustly on the majority of the working class.’” - New York Times “[Campbell] is an unusual combination of hard–hitting political strategist and poetry–writing spiritual figure…Campbell’s style of engagement on the Hill is part Zen master, part political tactician.” - Washington Post “Campbell’s advocacy is rooted in her faith, in doing what Jesus says we should do.” - Chicago Tribune “These women, ‘Nuns on the Bus,’ travel the continent on behalf of justice. It is hard to choose a word to describe the breathtaking interaction between the crowd and the travelers. One could say ‘enthusiastic,’ or ‘excited,’ or even ‘deeply moved.’ But none of those words really captures the mood. The only word that fits is love.” - People’s World “Nuns on the Bus travel the continent on behalf of justice. It is hard to choose a word to describe the interaction between the crowd and the travelers. One could say ‘enthusiastic,’ or ‘excited,’ but none of those words really captures the mood. The only word that fits is love.” - People’s World “If there’s a single phrase to describe Sister Simone, it is ‘compassionate conviction.’ With bravery, with courage, with optimism, she is focused on the common good. She is a champion for the cause of peace and justice. She has the will and the drive to do right.” - Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi “NETWORK’s projects, as well as Sister Simone’s undertakings, draw on a history that is both feminist-positive, respectful of both diversity and tradition, and intended to provide justice for all. An excellent book to join a shelf with Simone Weil’s Waiting for God (1951) and Anita Caspary’s Witness to Integrity (2003).” - Booklist “NETWORK’s projects, as well as Sister Simone’s undertakings, draw on a history that is both feminist-positive, respectful of both diversity and tradition, and intended to provide justice for all.” - Booklist Readers will find it to be a reel of heart-warming, soul-saddening, politically revealing episodes. They are saturated with faith, courage, and unsparing dedication to the unmet socioeconomic needs of our nation’s underclasses. This book captures glimpses of the tireless social and political activities of contemporary nuns-Campbell being an exemplar. Her energy is fueled by prayer and meditation, her confidence is from faith and trust in God, and her obedience is willingness to follow the Holy Spirit-whom she fully trusts as the GPS for her bus. - A. Regina Schulte, U.S. Catholic “Nuns have played many roles in Catholic history, from convent monastics to street activists, but it’s difficult to think of another nun like Sister Simone Campbell. A registered lobbyist and political strategist, she has exercised quiet but important influence in advancing liberal Catholic causes in Washington.” - Time magazine “The Nuns on the Bus rolled into South Bend, Ind., on Thursday evening to find the same sort of e