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Finding Your Way to Say Goodbye: Comfort for the Dying, by Harold Ivan Smith. Ave Maria Press, 2002.
The subtitle is “Comfort for the Dying and Those Who Care for Them.” Smith has for many years held the hands of those who were dying and he presents many helpful suggestions how one might be of assistance to the dying and to their caregivers as well. He shows how one can deal with the medical staff when they don’t respect the dying person’s
wishes; he addresses the needs of the family and friends who are in denial; he gives a book which can be an ideal companion for the most important journey we all are called to make. Some of the topics are: dealing with privacy, partnering with
physicians, expressing anger, forgiving, deciding how you want to be remembered, putting choices in writing, making life easier for survivors, making a valid and ethical will, distributing your treasures during life, telling your stories, making room for humor, choosing the time to die, embracing the silences, making visitors comfortable, and much more. This book can serve as a sort of journal, providing space for one’s requests, such as five ways I want to be remembered, the five fears I now
have, those I need to forgive, what I still want to do before I die, etc. Each chapter ends with a reflective thought, a prayer, and a breath mediation such as: breathe in “Never will God leave me” Breathe out “or abandon me.”
Paperback
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Sts. Marian and James (d. 259) May 6
Often, it’s hard to find much detail from the lives of saints of the early Church. What we know about the third-century martyrs we honor today is likewise minimal. But we do know that they lived and died for the faith. Almost 2,000 years later, that is enough reason to honor them.
Born in North Africa, Marian was a lector or reader; James was a deacon. For their devotion to the faith they suffered during the persecution of Valerian.
Prior to their persecution, Marian and James were visited by two bishops who encouraged them in the faith not long before they themselves were martyred. A short time later, Marian and James were arrested and interrogated. The two readily confessed their faith and, for that, were tortured. While in prison they are said to have experienced visions, including one of the two bishops who had visited them
earlier.
On the last day of their lives, Marian and James joined other Christians facing martyrdom. They were blindfolded and then put to death. Their bodies were thrown into the water. The year was
259. americancatholic.org site
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Affliate Web Sites: Please give them a visit. |
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