While I Breathe, I Hope
A Mystagogy of Dying
While I Breathe, I Hope
A Mystagogy of Dying
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Paperback / softback
£15.99
Publisher: Liturgical Press
ISBN: 9780814688663
Number of Pages: 256
Published: 19/05/2024
Width: 12.7 cm
Height: 20.3 cm
2025 Catholic Media Association First Place Award, Grief and Bereavement
2025 Catholic Media Association Second Place Award, Memoir
Deeply spiritual and personal reflections from distinguished theologian Richard R. Gaillardetz.
Diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, theologian Dr. Richard R. Gaillardetz started sharing his thoughts and reflections on CaringBridge and signed off each entry with the Latin phrase "dum spiro, spero" ("While I breathe, I hope"). In his chronologically compiled essays, Rick moves through his final season of life seeking insight from his Christian faith, while discovering new meaning in the signs and symbols that mark familiar liturgical seasons and celebrations. He explores fears and doubts, joys and sufferings, and the graces and blessings he encounters along his final journey. With shots of humor, a few sports analogies, and a sprinkling of quotes from Karl Rahner, Rick offers wisdom for all in his poignant exploration of what it means to be a person of faith, entering the paschal mystery, ever hopeful for the life to come.
Contents
Foreword ix
Preface xv
The Cancer Journey Begins 1
Into the Heart of the Paschal Mystery 7
Facing a Terminal Diagnosis 11
Cancer, Theodicy, and the Mystery of Divine Providence 15
Gratitude 23
The Blessings and Vexations of Embodiment 31
Marking Time 37
How to Inhabit Time 43
Praying My Way into Advent 55
Christmas and Epiphany: Seeking the Christ Child 73
The Logistics of Dying 79
A Difficult Remembrance 85
Notes from a Caribbean Cruise 93
The Consolations of Married Life While Grappling with Cancer 101
Death, the Clinging Ego, and . . . Purgatory? 107
The Interplay of Grief and Gratitude 115
Friendship 121
The Church 133
True Christian Hope and the Dark Night 145
Giving Away My Death 155
I’m Not Dead Yet! 167
From Christian Baptism to the Christian Funeral 175
The Consoling, Grace-filled Power of Music 185
A Meal Befitting the Children of God 195
O Love, I Rest My Weary Soul in Thee 203
Epilogue 209
Foreword ix
Preface xv
The Cancer Journey Begins 1
Into the Heart of the Paschal Mystery 7
Facing a Terminal Diagnosis 11
Cancer, Theodicy, and the Mystery of Divine Providence 15
Gratitude 23
The Blessings and Vexations of Embodiment 31
Marking Time 37
How to Inhabit Time 43
Praying My Way into Advent 55
Christmas and Epiphany: Seeking the Christ Child 73
The Logistics of Dying 79
A Difficult Remembrance 85
Notes from a Caribbean Cruise 93
The Consolations of Married Life While Grappling with Cancer 101
Death, the Clinging Ego, and . . . Purgatory? 107
The Interplay of Grief and Gratitude 115
Friendship 121
The Church 133
True Christian Hope and the Dark Night 145
Giving Away My Death 155
I’m Not Dead Yet! 167
From Christian Baptism to the Christian Funeral 175
The Consoling, Grace-filled Power of Music 185
A Meal Befitting the Children of God 195
O Love, I Rest My Weary Soul in Thee 203
Epilogue 209
