Rating: 
Summary: Last Testament Of An Inspiring Man
Review: I have found myself lately recommending this slim volume to a wide variety of people. Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, the late Archbishop of Chicago, completed this work just 13 days before he died of pancreatic cancer. It may be, therefore, particularly good for cancer patients or people facing death. He tells us simply and honestly of the trials of his last years and days - a false accusation from a former seminarian, his illness, his ministry to fellow cancer patients, his final acceptance of death. It is rare than anyone has graced so many of us as much as he has by the manner of his dying. I was privileged to see Cardinal Bernadin a few months before his death. I was impressed even from a distance with his simplicity, humility, acceptance and peace. He was clearly a man who was (the Irish would say) "thinning." He seemed transparent and shining with the inner light of someone who had been tried in the fires and had had burned away anything that was dross, a person who had stood naked before the whole world and had stood the test of it. That is the kind of man the book presents. It is a simple, honest and straight-forward self-revelation of someone more concerned even in his final hours about others than about himself. I recommend it highly.
Rating:
Summary: The road to eternity...
Review: Joseph Cardinal Bernadin of Chicago was one of the leading lights of the Roman Catholic church through the past few decades; in the last three years of his life (he died in 1996) he endured the beginnings of the scandals of the church (including accusations, later proved false, against himself) as well as a recurring battle with cancer. Through all of this, Bernadin was able to find peace, and it was the peace of God, a peace that is a gift and grace from God.While the issue of the false accusation is the first piece of the text, it does not dominate it. After a few pages, it is over and done with. One wonders at such power of forgiveness. Perhaps it was in response to the next, final battle that became much more dominant. Prominent throughout the book is the battle with cancer. Bernadin speaks of his own struggles and fears, but puts these in perspective as he became acquainted with the others who were getting treatment with him. He became, in his words, an unofficial chaplain to the other cancer patients. Bernadin struggled to maintain his sense of faith that all who similarly suffer must endure - as Bernadin said, it was finally time to practice what he preached! He renewed his sense of the importance of prayer, and his sense of ministry. While his post-operative treatments would only require ten minutes, he often found his visits would last for hours, as he visited with others. When the hospital staff offered to make private entrance and exit arrangements so that he would not be 'disturbed', he countered with the observation, 'I'm a priest first, a patient second.' Bernadin shares letters he received from other cancer patients, their families and friends, all added to his prayer list. It grew from the handful of people he met to well over 700 names in a very short time. The letters are touching, some asking for prayers, some also offering prayers. The farmer who knew the seasons, who wished the Cardinal faith as his harvest time drew near; the fathers and mothers of children who asked for special prayers for children or gave thanksgiving for recoveries; all these letters are important. There is a difficulty with dying publicly, as Bernadin had to endure. There was also a responsibility, to make valid a lifetime spent in the ministry. Relating the story of his recent visit with Fr. Henri Nouwen, Bernadin found peace in the idea that life is a preparation for death, and those who have lived life in the faith should see death as a friend. Bernadin also found faith in the example of Jesus - when the doctors gave Bernadin his final pronouncements of 'inoperable' and 'incurable', he finally knew what Jesus felt in the Garden of Gesthemane. One touching aspect of this book is that it was completed in draft form less than two weeks prior to Bernadin's death. Being a man who took pride in his penmanship, he decided he wanted to write (actually write, not type or draft for typeset) the opening section (done on All Saints Day, 1996), the cover, and section dividers. The publishers kept this promise, so one feels a real sense of connection with the text. It is not an easy thing to die. It is even harder to watch someone else. Walking with Bernadin during his final days as this book permits the reader to do in many ways will help all of us for a journey we are destined to make, and to relate more fully to others who are on the same journey, on the road to eternity.
Rating:
Summary: Undaunted courage finds true self
Review: Joseph Cardinal Bernardin tells a gripping and yet restful story. It is supreme sadness, if measured only on an earthly scale. The Cardinal surmounts two crippling blows, to his reputation, and to his health, to come to the realization that God has our destiny in hand. A teacher to the end, Cardinal Joe shows me personally how to absorb the tough love that God lays on some of his chosen, and not flinch, nor doubt the Supreme goodness of creation. Rest in peace, kind and noble servant. You have earned it. Goodbye.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful Message - On forgivenss, giving , living and dying
Review: Recently I lost my father to a 10 year bout with cancer. This book provided me with joy, tears and abudance within a month of my own fathers death. Cardinal Bernardin was a remarkable man who had the courage to face his accusers, his illness and ulitmately his death. He has reconfirmed that faith, hope, love, forgivenss and kindness is the very essentials of what life needs to be about. It is clear from the Cardinal as it was from my experience with my own father that even when you think you are at your darkest human hour you need to reach out and make a difference every single day until your final moment in this part of your journey here on earth. This book is a must read for anyone who has doubted that there is peace in death. He reconfirms that the lessons most important in life are to continue to give of yourself every day despite the adversities you face. In his illness, through his false accusation and his wonderful rediscovery of a deeper faith in Christ it makes accepting God's plan for you important. Anyone who has an ill parent or someone close to them should read this book it will give you a much clearer spiritual understanding of illness, death and living every moment under God's plan.
Rating:
Summary: Simply inspirational.
Review: The Cardinal gives us an excellent example of how one may deal with the troubles of life's injustices.First he works his way through an injust accusation of sexual abuse .He must address the press.And ends up reconciling with his accusor.Next he is told he has cancer .He has to under go surgury,and radiation and chemical therapy.None of which is any fun.All the while the love of God shone through him and his meanor.Now he is told that he cured . Only months later he is told that he has terminal cancer. With the love of Christ in his heath ,he writes us a farwell.He befriended death ,and shows the way to a peaceful death
Rating: 
Summary: Exactly what the title perports it to be!
Review: The life of this one man can give peace and understanding to those who take the time to read and contemplate his life. It is a life ended too quickly, but spent in earnest search of a fulfilling life in communion with God and humanity. Well worth the experience
Rating:
Summary: It's as if he's sitting across from you, bringing peace.
Review: The power of this book rests in beautifully plain writing. It's as if the Cardinal is sitting across from you and very glad to be there. He speaks of terrible darkness, but he's endured it. He describes the day-to-day gripping with terror that brings, finally, peace as resolution. I am non Catholic and rejoice that I met him in this book.
Rating:
Summary: THE VALUE, MEANING AND PURPOSE OF LIFE
Review: The The Gift of Peace : Reflections by Joseph Cardinal Bernardin is a spectacular book on three levels:
1) He shows how to die and find meaning in our suffering, and how to use it for a higher good;
2) He shows how to live in relation to other people, even those who have wronged us;
3) He shows us how to grow closer to God through prayer and meditation, regardless of what our "God concept" is.
For these reasons, this book is for everyone!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Short, Sweet, Poignant
Review: There are many times when it is best to say little. Cardinal Bernadin had the gift of saying much in a few words. What a special, God-sent gift he was (and continues to be) especially by giving us this book. We all must face our mortality eventually. Most of us face it early when we consider our family members and dear friends who preceed us. Cardinal Bernadin says it succiently in his opening letter when he says he must go first, "that seems to be the rule, one at a time, according to designation." By his faith, hope, and love, we know that earthly death is not the end.
Rating:
Summary: Short, Sweet, Poignant
Review: There are many times when it is best to say little. Cardinal Bernadin had the gift of saying much in a few words. What a special, God-sent gift he was (and continues to be) especially by giving us this book. We all must face our mortality eventually. Most of us face it early when we consider our family members and dear friends who preceed us. Cardinal Bernadin says it succiently in his opening letter when he says he must go first, "that seems to be the rule, one at a time, according to designation." By his faith, hope, and love, we know that earthly death is not the end.
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