A Book Review

Book:“While I Breathe, I Hope: A Mystagogy of Dying” by Richard R. Gaillardetz

One of the joys I have in my ministry is travelling to other religious communities to facilitate retreats. A special “perk” is that members of the communities with whom I am working will often recommend to me books they have read.

Recently, a group of Sisters suggested I might appreciate a book, (they kindly gave me a copy) entitled, “While I Breathe, I Hope: A Mystagogy of Dying” by Richard Gaillardetz, late Chair of Systematic Theology at Boston College.  From its title I didn’t think it looked too promising. It certainly didn’t sound like a book to invite curling up in a comfy chair to read .. And let’s face it, how many have even heard the word, “mystagogy”? (It means a process to guide people in the mysteries of life in Christ).

I somewhat reluctantly opened the book one evening during the retreat. Contrary to my presuppositions I couldn’t put it down! It is one of the finest and most moving books I have ever read. It is truly a vivid guide in the mysteries of a life lived fully, with all its joys, ups and downs, doubts and faith, despairs and hopes, loves and losses, in Christ Paschal Mystery writ large.

Diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, Richard Gaillardetz, began sharing his experiences in a blog, posted on the support website, “CaringBridge”, from which the chapters of the book are derived. They are written sequentially during the last months of his life. Here, Gaillardetz seeks guidance from his Christian faith for the journey of dying. Each segment of the book ends with the Latin phrase, Dum spiro, spero, “while I breathe, I hope”.  In his personal journey at the end of life he finds challenges and consolation in his faith and he also discovers new meanings in faith practices and in the Church’s liturgical seasons and celebrations.

Image: Sandy Millar @sandym10/Unsplash

Beyond these ponderings, Gaillardetz reflects on his natural human struggles, his fears and doubts, joys and suffering, family relationships, on the nature of love and friendship and on the importance of accompaniment on the journey. He speaks, in most eloquent ways, of the gifts of grace in moments of darkness. At the same time, he interweaves humour, analogies from sports, images from art, inspirations from music and “down to earth” commentary on the radiance and gifts of life’s ordinariness.

This is a read for all and, perhaps, most especially, for those facing imminent death, for carers, family and friends and those grieving. Comfort is in each turn of the page. It is compelling, irresistible, utterly engaging and heart-rending. It is paradoxical in its exploration of both dying and the ultimate sureness that while I breathe, I hope and thereafter. Truly inspirational!

-Sister Mary Rowell, CSJ

Praying Hope: A Paradox for Today

Many moons ago, the parish I attended organized a Lenten ecumenical series with weekly reflections on various approaches to praying. One session focused on “Praying with the News”.

Last week, as I was skimming the Saturday paper, memories of that long ago session came back to me. The focus was the importance of praying for all those affected by global disasters and those struggling with world and local events recorded in the news. Part of the week’s session included prayers of intercession for all the problems arising at that time. But what of now? Such prayers are still vital for the world. They are part of our human and faith commitment, entrusting the unfolding of the world to God, sending out care, hope and love in these, our, days.

Now, as we continue to greet a new year, the world is facing extraordinary times of uncertainty, and for many, days of anxiety and fear, continuing war, violence, impoverishment and environmental degradation. Like each of you, I suspect, I/we are hearing voices from family, friends and colleagues who are feeling overwhelmed to the point of “giving up” on the news. Many express feelings of being entrapped by darkness or despair; paralyzed to respond.

So what then of “praying with the news?” Reading the paper I found myself wondering if even our praying in such a way engulfs us more deeply in a negative narrative in which hope seems imperceptible.

Then I woke up to the fact that this wasn’t the sum total of my reading. I was also reading stories of care, concern, kindness and service, sometimes “sacrificial” service.  I read of the wonderfully “giving-life” of President Jimmy Carter. I read of people opening their homes to those left homeless by the LA fires, of the Pennsylvania Amish community gathered to build small homes in the aftermath of the devastating storms in North Carolina. I was encouraged by a story of people in the U.S. donating to Canadian leadership in refugee service and resettlement, by entrepreneurs bringing creativity to and investment in providing light for children in Africa, allowing them to study at night, and I was touched by accounts of numerous small acts of kindness toward neighbours and for environmental healing.

Image: Jon Tyson @jontyson/Unsplash

Immersed in such stories I was lifted beyond feelings of helplessness. Perhaps praying with the news is also then about praying in gratitude for such inspired goodness, for the people involved, for the beauty and gifting of creation, opening us to a more balanced perspective as we look at the world. Engaging prayerfully in such stories is a reminder of hope and promise. Positive news of this kind inspires each of us to commit to “the more”. It helps unbind us from the entrapment of fear, anxiety, despair and inaction. It calls us to place goodness at the heart of our lives and in the world. As American journalist, Hunter Thompson wrote:

“Good news is rare in these days, and every glittering ounce of it should be cherished and hoarded and worshipped and fondled like a priceless diamond.”

In praying with today’s good news we are invited to place life-enhancing energy in the world without a need to know what its gift and impact may be. In placing positive energy in the world we become expanders of that energy, carriers of hope, beacons of promise and possibility, people who can truly “real-ize” a life beyond perceived impasse. Carmelite nun, Sister Constance Fitzgerald says: “It is only in the process of bringing impasse to prayer, to the perspective of the God who loves us, that our society will be freed, healed, changed, brought to paradoxical new visions, and freed for nonviolent, selfless, liberating action, freed, therefore, for community on this planet earth.” So let’s pray with the good news, let it transfigure our lives for personal peace and free us for good.

-Sister Mary Rowell, CSJ

Image: Philipp Düsel @philipp_dice | Unsplash

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity - January 18-January 25, 2025

As children we were invited to learn what it meant to be Christian: who we believe in and why. As a young Catholic I didn’t know we were Christians! We generally learned about our religion for marks or holy cards in school, stars in Sunday School or pats on the back at home. Memory work is a wonderful skill but when did we start really believing in what we have learned?

The theme this year for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity invites us to answer the same question Jesus asked both Martha and Mary as they grieved their brother Lazarus “Do you believe this?” (John 11:11-26) He was of course asking if they believed that HE IS the Resurrection and the Life. They did.

As children, our knowledge of that phrase was rote memory. As an adult, what is the deeper meaning for me today? What did I learn in the past that made sense or didn’t make sense. What do I truly believe in my heart of hearts about Jesus, unity, resurrection and life now? Do those beliefs guide my daily interaction with all God’s creation?

To start the week of Christian Unity this year I will be joining many others at a Sing, Sing, Sing event at a local United Church; after all, those who sing pray twice! 😊 For the rest of the week I will rest with Jesus and answer, Yes Jesus I believe, help my unbelief; there is still so much room for growth.

-Maureen Condon, Associate with the Sisters of St. Joseph

Image: Amaury Gutierrez @amaury_guti/Unsplash