The Gift of Peace
Joseph Cardinal Bernardin's gentle leadership throughout his life of ministerial service had made him an internationally beloved figure, but the words he left behind about his final journey would change the lives of many more people from all faiths, from all backgrounds, and from all over the world.
In the last two months of his life, Joseph Cardinal Bernardin made it his ultimate mission to share his personal reflections and insights as a legacy to those he left behind. The Gift of Peace reveals the Cardinal's spiritual growth amid a string of traumatic events: a false accusation of sexual abuse; reconciliation a year later with his accuser, who had earlier recanted the charges; a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and surgery; the return of cancer, now in his liver; his decision to discontinue chemotherapy and live his remaining days as fully as possible. In these pages, Bernardin tells his story openly and honestly, and shares the profound peace he came to at the end of his life. He accepted his peace as a gift from God, and he in turn now shares that gift with the world.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Hidden in the pages, the secret of Christian Life
We used this book as one of our monthly Book Club selections. We had a wonderful discussion.
For me the whole book is a commentary on what he says on the first page. He learned to "let go." the rest is all a way of living a CHristian life from this point of view; not be attached to anything but keep your eyes on God alone.
Based on the Gospel of Jesus, this ability of "letting go" is the secret of Christian life; to allow God to work in us and through us require that we learn how to discern His will. Once we do this, we can live our lives without letting the storms determine the direction of our journey.
Cardinal Bernardin learned this the hard way.
I read the book in a couple of hours but had to go back again over and over to let the truth of his experience sink in my own heart.
I particularly enjoyed the chapter titles: they used his own handwriting. It was his wish. I liked that he reclaimed beauty (handwriting) in a world that was being destroyed by the ugliness of his illness.
easy read, thought provoking, life changing book.
5 Stars Cardinal Bernardin's Legacy
"Subito Santo!"(Make him a saint now!) was my first thought as I finished reading "The Gift of Peace: Personal Reflections by Joseph Cardinal Bernardin". This was a book I noted when it first was published, but I waited to read it until now. Perhaps I thought it would be sad or even depressing. How wrong I was! This is an uplifting book, recounting in his own words the major events of the last three years of Cardinal Bernardin's life. It is a book filled with moving stories of reconciliation, kindness,
care of others even in the face of his own debilitating illness, and love of the highest order. It is the truest expression of the saying "Let go and let God" I have ever encountered.
This is not a long book and I suggest reading its short chapters over several days or weeks. This will allow the "Gift of Peace" the book offers–which is Cardinal Bernardin's real legacy–to take root and grow in the reader. If this happens, the book has served its purpose and Cardinal Bernardin, now in the company of the saints in light (even if not an official saint yet) can, himself, rest in peace.
"Santo subito!" Make him a saint now!
5 Stars The Gift of Peace
This book by Joseph Cardinal Bernadin is a book of hope. Reading this book is a spiritual excercise of peace…peace of mind & peace of soul.
5 Stars Cardinal Bernardin's Remarkable Story of Compassion
For anyone facing a devastating tragedy or terminal illness, this is an uplifting story one of the great leaders of the American Catholic Church. As Archbishop of Chicago and later a Cardinal, Cardinal Bernardin was a well-known leader in Catholic circles. The accusation of sexual misconduct leveled at him by a young man catapulted the cardinal into the national spotlight in a humiliating way. Later, the young man recanted his tale and met personally with Cardinal Bernardin to apologize. Through this whole ordeal, the Cardinal acted with great faith, but was naturally bewildered about a charge from a person he did not know about something he knew he did not do. He found the words of John 8:32 (The truth will set you free) to be his guiding light and found their promise fulfilled.
The story of the allegations and their later withdrawal is a small part of the recollections he shares with us in his very personal and intimate style. The major thrust of the book concerns his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and how he struggled with his fate and rediscovered a newer and stronger faith in God. In a very heartfelt way he discusses his understanding of suffering—not merely its inevitability but also its purpose and redemptive value. He recalls quite vividly the words Jesus used at the Last Supper, knowing that in a matter of hours he would be crucified. "Love one another. Such as my love has been for you, so must your love be for each other. This is how all will know you as my disciples: your love for one another." Cardinal Bernardin lived these words, most completely in the last three years of his life, the period covered by this remembrance.
As noted by others, this book comes as close as any to a person describing their final days on earth and preparing to enter the kingdom of God. Cardinal Bernardin finished the book on November 1, 1996 and died thirteen days later on November 14, 1996. Even if you have never heard of him, you will be inspired by his poignant recounting of a life well spent and discovering the great gift of inner peace amidst tragedy.
5 Stars Inspiring
Cardinal Bernadin, in clear easy reading form, teaches us how to live in the face of profound suffering. He shows us how to live the faith we profess.
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