Splendor of Sorrow: What a Hard-Boiled Crime Reporter Discovered about the Love of Jesus and Mary

by Eddie Doherty

A tough-as-nails reporter who wrote books with titles like Broadway Murders, the superbly colorful Eddie Doherty spent his old age as a Catholic priest! In his masterpiece Splendor of Sorrow, he gives a hint of the spiritual visions that touched him so deeply as to change the course of his life in ways no one could have foreseen or predicted. Raised a Catholic, Eddie was a reporter during the Roaring Twenties. He covered the likes of Al Capone and lesser thugs with verve and flair, making a name for himself as a straight-shooting reporter who would even risk danger to find the truth. But his personal life was haunted by suffering. His wife, whom he loved with unflagging gallantry and consuming ardor, died tragically - at which point, Eddie later recounted, "I cursed God bitterly and violently." He left the Catholic Church. Eddie remarried, only to endure the death of his second wife in an accident. But this time, Eddie did not curse God - instead, sensing the presence of grace even in the sorrows of his life, he began again to receive Holy Communion. As Eddie held these events in his mind and heart over the years, this masterwork was born. Through the pain and redemption he experienced, he came to be fascinated by God's mercy. He determined to help others grasp how the sorrows of this world are resplendent with the light of Christ. In Splendor of Sorrow, Eddie shows you how to perceive that light as he explores the Seven Sorrows of Mary. But this is no ordinary book of meditations or sermons! Eddie imaginatively takes you into these great events as a participant. His main character, "the Blindman," watches the events unfold in all their horrific pain and divine splendor. He brings saints and angels from throughout history into the story, suffering and rejoicing with them and gaining their wisdom to illuminate the mysterious events taking place before them. Vivid, deeply felt, mesmerizing, and powerful, this cinematic book is likely to change forever how you regard the mysteries of suffering and grace.

149 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Edward J. "Eddie" Doherty (October 30, 1890–May 4, 1975) was a famed American newspaper reporter, best-selling author, Oscar-nominated screenwriter, co-founder of the Madonna House Apostolate, and later ordained a priest in the Melkite Greek Catholic Church.

Reviews

[Rhonda Mannino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am keeping this book in my collection. I read the first addition of this book. Splendor of Sorrow. It seemed to be written for me. I highly recommend this for anyone struggling with the idea/fact that the BVM is our mother.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, vivid language. I could read this book every Lent and not tire of it.