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The Last Homily: Conversations with Fr. Arne Panula
The Last Homily captures with poignant authenticity the dying thoughts of a brilliant priest who dedicated his life to bringing others to Fr. Arne Panula, of Washington DC’s fabled Catholic Information Center. Recorded with Fr. Arne’s permission during his months in hospice care, his exchanges with noted author Mary Eberstadt expound on the Church and history, art and music, books and ideas, as well as on more immediate questions about how the faithful should live, how they should work, and how they can best help to build the Kingdom on earth. Via this gift to posterity, Fr. Arne’s spiritual guidance is no longer limited to those who knew him, but extends to generations of the present and future.
146 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 3, 2018
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57 people want to read
About the author
Mary Eberstadt
29 books95 followersMary Eberstadt is a research fellow at the Hoover Institution, consulting editor to Policy Review, and contributing writer to First Things. Her articles have appeared in the Weekly Standard, the American Spectator, Commentary, the Los Angeles Times, the London Times, and the Wall Street Journal. Her previous books include The Loser Letters and Home-Alone America.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 23, 2019
I read this book because Fr Arne used to be my spiritual director. He helped me through a difficult period in my life, and I wanted to read his last thoughts during his prolonged battle with cancer. His saintly and stoic nature shine through, and he was many bits of wisdom from which the reader will benefit.
The book suffers (certainly not from Fr. Arne), but rather from small circle of people for whom it seems to be written. The author, Mary Eberstadt, references a small cohort of the DC Catholic scene that the reader will not know if he is not already familiar with that set. I got the impression at times that the book was an exercise in name-dropping of the 'who's- who' in the catholic world, which detracts from the universality of Fr Arne's wisdom. I found that the footnotes were more often than not a hindrance than a help, and there are several redundant references that are repeated throughout. The reader will remember what he read 20 pages ago, he does not need to be reminded over and over again.
The testimonies of Fr. Arne's life by his friends were a very nice touch. What a wonderful, holy man; may he rest in peace. Fr. Arne Panula, pray for us.
The book suffers (certainly not from Fr. Arne), but rather from small circle of people for whom it seems to be written. The author, Mary Eberstadt, references a small cohort of the DC Catholic scene that the reader will not know if he is not already familiar with that set. I got the impression at times that the book was an exercise in name-dropping of the 'who's- who' in the catholic world, which detracts from the universality of Fr Arne's wisdom. I found that the footnotes were more often than not a hindrance than a help, and there are several redundant references that are repeated throughout. The reader will remember what he read 20 pages ago, he does not need to be reminded over and over again.
The testimonies of Fr. Arne's life by his friends were a very nice touch. What a wonderful, holy man; may he rest in peace. Fr. Arne Panula, pray for us.
October 24, 2019
I never hears of Father Arne Pamula before my wife suggested this book. The conversations that he had in the last weeks of his life with Mary Eberstadt cover a wide range of topics that Catholics face in today's world.
Comment:
Father Arne was a sharp observer. His views are more conservative than most observers. I got the impression that he would not like to be called a liberal or conservative but rather a faithful son of God.
A small book packed with ideas and observations that will interest any Christian. Put it on your reading list.
Comment:
Father Arne was a sharp observer. His views are more conservative than most observers. I got the impression that he would not like to be called a liberal or conservative but rather a faithful son of God.
A small book packed with ideas and observations that will interest any Christian. Put it on your reading list.
January 29, 2020
Valuable insights from a truly holy man
I travel frequently to D.C. on business, and, when I can, attend noon Mass at the CIC. On one such visit, I made an appointment with Father Arne to advise me on some spiritual matters. That was about six years ago, but those 15 minutes I spent with him were profound. I still carry them with me, if, for not other reason than, I knew beyond doubt, that this was a man whose will was united with that of the Lord Jesus. It was a blessing to visit with him again in these pages. My gratitude goes to Ms. Eberstadt for arranging the meeting.
I travel frequently to D.C. on business, and, when I can, attend noon Mass at the CIC. On one such visit, I made an appointment with Father Arne to advise me on some spiritual matters. That was about six years ago, but those 15 minutes I spent with him were profound. I still carry them with me, if, for not other reason than, I knew beyond doubt, that this was a man whose will was united with that of the Lord Jesus. It was a blessing to visit with him again in these pages. My gratitude goes to Ms. Eberstadt for arranging the meeting.
May 8, 2020
As I read this on week 7 of coronavirus lockdown, I needed the words on pps 4-5 about humans not being social isolates but that we are social animals needing a community. Overall this is a fast read but no less profound for it. Fr. Panula was a keen observer of the modern world and additionally, I appreciated his insight into St Josemaria Escriva and how every person is called to holiness even in ordinary life. The footnotes alone are a treasure of books for me to tackle going forward and I raved about this book to everyone in my family in hopes I can get them to read it too.
July 31, 2019
Fr Arne Panula, ora pro nobis.
What can we say of a holy man, a saintly priest? It comes clear in this wonderfully small collection of conversations between the author and Fr Arne.
There is much to learn from his wisdom and from his unabashed exposition of the truths of Catholicism.
But it is more than that. It is a powerful reminder of how one holy life can leave its mark on so many in life and even in death.
Highly recommended
What can we say of a holy man, a saintly priest? It comes clear in this wonderfully small collection of conversations between the author and Fr Arne.
There is much to learn from his wisdom and from his unabashed exposition of the truths of Catholicism.
But it is more than that. It is a powerful reminder of how one holy life can leave its mark on so many in life and even in death.
Highly recommended
February 17, 2020
Inspiring and profoundly moving. It’s title presents it as a ‘homily’ buts it’s scope is much broader than that. It presents us with a wide and insightful commentary on our age with its many problems - and with all the serenity of a man who, while he was still deeply committed to finding solutions, was very happy in his awareness that he was about to cross the threshold to his final home. He left us with a sense that “all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.”
December 10, 2018
Please read. You won't be sorry for the time spent.
November 29, 2020
Interesting conversations about a man who worked as an Opus Dei priest for most of his life.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews