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Book Cover for: While I Breathe, I Hope: A Mystagogy of Dying, Richard R. Gaillardetz

While I Breathe, I Hope: A Mystagogy of Dying

Richard R. Gaillardetz

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.

Book Details

  • Publisher: Liturgical Press
  • Publish Date: May 19th, 2024
  • Pages: 256
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - undefined
  • Dimensions: 7.95in - 4.96in - 0.71in - 0.65lb
  • EAN: 9780814688663
  • Categories: Christian Living - Death, Grief, BereavementChristian Theology - Eschatology

About the Author

Downey, Michael: - Since completing his doctorate under the direction of David Power in 1982, Michael Downey has served as professor of theology and spirituality at universities and seminaries in the United States. His abiding theological commitment to those who are wounded and marginalized has brought him to serve the church most in need through lectures, conferences, and retreats in different parts of the world. From 1997-2011 he served as the Cardinal's Theologian, Archdiocese of Los Angeles. He is currently Diocesan Theologian in San Bernardino, CA.
Gaillardetz, Richard R.: -

Richard R. Gaillardetz (1958-2023), held the Joseph Chair of Catholic Systematic Theology at Boston College. He published numerous articles and authored or edited twelve books, including An Unfinished Council: Vatican II, Pope Francis, and the Renewal of Catholicism and Keys to the Council: Unlocking the Teaching of Vatican II (co-authored with Catherine Clifford), both published by Liturgical Press. He was a contributor to Give Us This Day. Gaillardetz was a delegate on the US Catholic-Methodist Ecumenical Dialogue and served as president of the Catholic Theological Society of America between 2013 and 2014.

Praise for this book

"Rick did not write because he was directed to do so by another. He wrote as a free act of love, opening the door of his mind and heart, offering insight to all of us living in the shadow of death, preparing us to make passage through dying and death to the new life for which we hope."
from Foreword by Michael Downey-- (2/9/2024 12:00:00 AM)
"With pastoral sensitivity, Gaillardetz reminds us that what we often need is 'the promise that we do not suffer alone.' This is a wise and moving final work that abounds with gratitude for life."
The Christian Century-- (8/2/2024 12:00:00 AM)