Diary of a Dying Man

Lourdes, August 15th(feast of Our Lady’s Assumption). Went to Holy Communion this morning. Then wrote a long letter to dear Helen and Alf. A gentler, more loving feeling is creeping over me; and that hideous skeleton phantom is putting on flesh and an angel’s wings. I no longer dread him. I should like to die here and be buried under that grotto. Today, I spent mostly in my dear wood overhanging the cave. A little book, “Abandonment,” was my companion. What a wonderful thing is Catholic Philosophy! You are God’s property. He can do what He pleases with you. It is all His affair, not yours. This removal of all responsibility as to good or evil things of life is infinitely consoling. It removes all remorse about mistakes and failures. What profound philosophers our Catholic Religious are! They give up nothing to gain everything.