Reflections on a Dying Life
 Donald X. Burt, O.S.A.
 

Reflections on a Dying Life is a series of reflections based on two common themes in Saint Augustine's Spirituality. Donald Burt O.S.A., 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, O.S.A., Ph.D., is a member of the Augustinian Order. Recently retired as professor emeritus in philosophy at Villanova University, Father Burt has published twelve books and numerous articles on the thought of St. Augustine.

"From time to time, we all find ourselves thinking about who we are, where we are headed, and how we are going to get there. With the help of his mentor St. Augustine, Fr. Burt offers us some marvelous insights on these questions. He uses vibrant images to share his thoughts with us, as he reminds us that we are all living in a ‘Hospice, an Inn for Travelers,' that we are ‘dusty angels’ looking upward as we struggle on this earth, that our faith gives us a ‘room with a view’ to see beyond this Hospice to eternity. Fr. Burt shows his optimism in this quote from Augustine: ‘Anyone who lives a good life is not able to have a bad death.’ This book is easy to read, inspiring, down to earth, and full of hope based on the promises God has given us through Jesus Christ."

Theodore E. Tack, O.S.A.,
Author, As One Struggling Christian to Another

"Reflections on a Dying Life is an eminently accessible and deeply pastoral book of Christian eschatology. Fr. Burt uses his masterful knowledge of St. Augustine's writings to create a classically Catholic spirituality of aging. Integrating a deep faith with his disciplined reason, Fr. Burt gently, lovingly sculpts an Augustinian spirituality of death and resurrection. Every page brims with the humor and pathos, with the irony and insight that distinguish all of Fr. Burt’s writings as precious resources for contemporary believers and thinkers. Long after they have finished this book, Burt’s image of the inn for travelers, woven throughout the text, will stay with readers. It will invite them to return many times during life’s pilgrimage and refresh their souls in the company of this scholarly, spiritual priest."

Joseph T. Kelley,
Center for Augustinian Study and Legacy, Merrimack College

"In this thought-provoking series of reflections, Fr. Donald Burt invites us into a motif dear to the heart of St. Augustine: this world is a Hospice; we are, after all, only travelers; our true home is with God. Drawing upon the ancient wisdom of Augustine, Fr. Burt offers today's ‘Inn-mates’ much food for the journey, a vision of its destination, and a warm appreciation for the many anticipated and unanticipated rest stops along the way."

Thomas F. Martin, O.S.A.,
Institute for the Study of Augustine and Augustinian Traditions
Villanova University

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