While I Breathe, I Hope: A Mystagogy of Dying

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 with deep questions, 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 encountered in his final journey. With shots of humor, a few sports analogies, and a sprinkling of quotes from his favorite theologian, Karl Rahner, Rick offers wisdom for all in his deep exploration of what it means to be a person of faith, encountering the Pascal mystery, ever hopeful for the life to come.