Welcome to Father Barry's World

I was born in San Diego, California in 1945 and entered the Jesuits when I was 18. Attracted to missionary work from the start, I was assigned to Taiwan in 1969. After two years of studying Chinese, I continued my preparation for the priesthood by teaching art and music on Orchid Island, off the southeast coast of Taiwan, and studying theology in Taipei and Manila.

My first (and only) assignment as a priest has been in Chingchuan, a village high in the mountains of Hsinchu in northern Taiwan, where I've lived with the indigenous Tayal tribe for almost 50 years. Art, music, and writing have kept me alive all this time. After several years of making murals and mosaics, writing books, and composing songs, I began a stained-glass studio at my church, which was later moved  to Guanxi, in the foothills of the mountains, and employs indigenous artists from different Taiwan tribes.   

In 2006, I began Tau Books, a self-publishing group for art, spirituality, and tribal tales from Taiwan. My previous association with the writer Sanmao, who translated several of my early books into Chinese, encouraged me to produce personal stories as well as illustrated stained-glass books, children’s stories, novels, and the writings of those I admire, especially my late brother Jerry, who was also a Jesuit priest in Taiwan.   

Now, as I approach the twilight of my journey, what gives me the greatest happiness is living in the mountains with Taiwan’s kind and gentle tribal people. Here, I can continue to write, design stained glass, sing a few songs, and know that the humble works of my heart, mind, and hands might be seen and appreciated by others for the greater glory of God.  

You can contact me by email: 

 barry_mart@yahoo.com