Reflections On A Dying Life

Reflections on a Dying Life is a series of reflections based on two common themes in Saint Augustine's Spirituality. Donald Burt OSA, explores Augustine’s recurrent idea that as human beings we are living in an Inn for Travelers—a hospice for those who are still on the road—as well as the idea that every moment of our existence is a movement towards death, the moment when we must "exit" this hospice to the life waiting for us beyond the doors. These ideas are developed in three sections; Part One: "Life in the Inn for Travelers," Part Two: "Death: the Door to Life," and Part Three: "Life After Death."

In hopes that his reflections on these ideas will assist himself and his readers to be happy, Fr. Burt focuses on the support the Christian faith provides for those in transit. The Christian faith assures us that whatever happens to us in this life, we will never be without the presence of a loving God who guaranteed through God's own death that we can have perfect happiness on the other side of the door of death, and who in the meantime has promised that God will stay with us, supporting us along the way.

A remarkable collection of essays that provides thoughtful rumination on our life now, our future death, and the life that awaits us thereafter, Reflections on a Dying Life is an excellent navigational tool for any thoughtful guest in this mostly pleasant Inn for Travelers.

Donald X. Burt, OSA, PhD, (1929-2014) was a member of the Augustinian Order. A professor emeritus in philosophy at Villanova University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Father Burt wrote thirteen books and numerous articles on the thought of St. Augustine, including Let Me Know Myself . . .,Let Me Know You . . ., and Reflections on a Dying Life published by Liturgical Press.