The Gift
of
Peace PERSONAL REFLECTIONS Hardback book with Dust Jacket by Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Loyola Press © 1997 Catholic Bishop of Chicago, a Corporation Sole " " I CAN SAY IN ALL SINCERITY that I am at peace.
I consider this as God's special gift to me. "
- Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, Archbishop of Chicago,
announcing on August 30, 1996, that his cancer had returned
after fifteen months of being in remission.
The Cardinal died November 14, 1996. " " IN THE FINAL TWO MONTHS of his life, Joseph Cardinal Bernardin made it his mission to share his personal reflections and insights in this book, The Gift of Peace.
Using a framework of the previous three years, which included false accusation of sexual misconduct, diagnosis of cancer, and return of the cancer after fifteen months of being in remission, Cardinal Bernardin tells his story openly and honestly.
At the end of his life, the Cardinal was at peace.
He accepted his peace as a gift from God, and through this book, he shares that gift with the world. The Gift of Peace is part of the Cardinal's pastoral legacy through this book his ministry lives on. " " From The Gift of Peace: " THE PAST THREE YEARS have taught me a great deal about myself and my relationship to God, the Church, and others ...
Within these major events lies the story of my life-what I believed and who I have worked hard to be. And because of the nature of these events, I have deepened and developed my own spirituality and gained insights that I want to share. By no means are these reflections meant to be a comprehensive autobiography. They are simply my reflections from my heart to yours. I hope they will be of help to you in your own life so you too can enjoy the deep inner peace-God's wonderful gift to me-that I now embrace as I stand on the threshold of eternal life." " Contents includes: " PERSONAL LETTER TO THE READER
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
INTRODUCTION: LETTING GO PART ONE: FALSE ACCUSATION Meditation: Emptying Oneself Facing False Charges
Sharing the Truth with the World
The Case Unravels
Meeting My Accuser: Forgiveness and Reconciliation PART TWO: CANCER Meditation: Suffering in Communion with the Lord New Life
Diagnosis: Cancer
An Aside: My Father
Sharing the News with My "Family"
Surgery
An Aside: My Mother
My Cancer Ministry Begins PART THREE: A PRIEST FIRST,
A PATIENT SECOND Meditation: "As Those Who Serve" Heeding God's Call: The Priesthood
"Unofficial Chaplain" to Cancer Patients
A Special Community
Practicing What I Preach
An Aside: The Importance of Prayer
A Priest First, and a Patient Second
Further Challenges
"A Sign of Hope": My Pastoral Letter on Healthcare
Letters from Fellow Cancer Patients PART FOUR: BEFRIENDING DEATH Meditation: "Come to Me All You Who
Are Weary and Find Life Burdensome" A Visit from an Old Friend
The Cancer Returns
Dying Publicly
My Ministry Continues
Meeting with the Holy Father
Letting Go of the Future
Praying with the Presbyterate
Letting Go of My Ministry
The Cross Comes into Clear View CONCLUSION: THE GIFT OF PEACE " Both the book and dust jacket are in very good to excellent condition with only very minor wear.
No torn or ripped pages.
There is a church name and address stamp on the inside back cover.
No other markings or writing. | 
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