"The book I'll never forget"

The Spring 2012 issue of "Life and Living" (London, UK), contains a review of THE WAY in the section "The book I'll never forget," by Esther Bentley, who first read it over 60 years ago.

2012/05/11

“I read this and finally felt at peace”

by Esther Bentley, 86
William Court, Bristol

THE WAY
by Josemaría Escrivá

I was 24 years old and bedridden with pleural tuberculosis. I’d recently given birth to my son John after a very difficult pregnancy but was too weak to even hold him. The illness was destroying my body and my spirits were so low that I began to lose hope. One day, I confided in my doctor that I was afraid I might die. She told me, very gently, not to be scared of dying and she lent me this book.

I wasn’t particularly interested, but started to read – and was soon unable to put it down. The Way was written by a Spanish Roman Catholic priest, who was canonised in 2002, and who believed that ordinary life can be a path to sanctity. The book spoke about being grateful for what you have and to focus on the good, not the bad. For the first time in months I felt at peace. By that Christmas I was able to get up and have dinner and four weeks later I was strong enough to care for John and have him christened.

I still love this book – it changed my perspective on life.

"The book I'll never forget"

The Spring 2012 issue of "Life and Living" (London, UK), contains a review of THE WAY in the section "The book I'll never forget," by Esther Bentley, who first read it over 60 years ago. 2012/05/11

The Spring 2012 issue of "Life and Living" (London, UK), contains a review of THE WAY in the section "The book I'll never forget," by Esther Bentley, who first read it over 60 years ago.

2012/05/11