The Art of Living and Dying: Lessons from Saints of Our Time

The connection between living and dying well is explored by recounting the stories of nine exemplary men men and women of our time and the particular virtues they embodied. All of us face the prospect of death, ifnot this day, then one day. But most of us would rather defer that thought indefinitely. Earlier generations of Christians studied classic ars moriendi manuals on the art of dying to help them face and embrace morality. They learned from these books something our own generation is in danger of that the manner in which one dies very much depends on the manner in which one has lived. Kerry Walters offers a new take on an old theme, exploring the connection between living and dying well by recounting the stories ofseven exemplary men and women of our time and the particular virtues they embodied. From Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, Sister Thea Bowman, Etty Hillesum, Civil Rights martyr Jonathan Daniels, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Pope John Paul II, and Caryll Houselander, we learn lessons about love, trust, gratitude, patience, courage, and hospitality. These lessons teach us something about how to die. But mostly they show us what it means to truly live. Earlier generations of Christians studied classic ars moriendi manuals on the art of dying to help them face and embrace morality. They learned from these books something our own generation is in danger of forgetting: that the manner in which one dies very much depends on the manner in which one has lived. The author explores the connection between living and dying well by recounting the stories of seven exemplary people of our time and the particular virtues they embodied. An Ars Moriendi For Today -- Living Toward A Good Death -- Trust : Joseph Bernadin -- Love : Thea Bowman -- Gratitude : Etty Hillesum -- Obedience : Jonathan Daniels -- Courage : Dietrich Bonhoeffer -- Patience : John Paul Ii -- Christing : Caryll Houselander -- The Great Test. Kerry Walters. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 227-244) And Index. Offers guidance on dying and living through the descriptions of the lives and virtues of nine inspirational men and women, including Joseph Bernardin, Thea Bowman, Etty Hillesum, Jonathan Daniels, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, John Paul II, and Caryll Houselander