Poet, priest, philosopher John O’Donohue Dies

Paul writes – Sad news means a change of content for today’s post. On Wednesday 2^nd January, I blogged about John O’Donohue’s new book Benedictus. On January 3^rd at the age of 53 he died peacefully in his sleep in France.

Below, Gareth Higgins shares his thoughts on the Irish poet and philosopher.

“John O’Donohue was my friend. We had been getting to know each other for almost four years now – a lifetime in our transient world – the very world that John’s words sought to slow down. I felt that we had in some sense adopted each other as compadres on the spiritual journey – a 50-something former priest taking into his life a 30-something dissillusioned former evangelical; both of us bound by our common Irish heritage, love of cinema, and fondness for sipping what he insisted on referring to as ‘firewater’. We spent many hours talking on the phone, eating together, and engaging in two of our favourite pursuits: whiskey and talking about movies…”

Go here to continue reading Gareth’s reflection

Comments

[Paul Fromont]

Interview with John, by Brian Draper, can be read here:

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=44571

Kester notes John's passing as well.

http://kester.typepad.com/signs/2008/01/sad-news-john-o.html

See also

http://home.eircom.net/content/irelandcom/topstories/11905444?view=Eircomnet

And, here for a 1999 interview with John

http://anamchara.com/hob/where-no-one-or-nothing-is-excluded/

[RODNEY NEILL]

Hello Paul,

I must admit I am in a state of shock as I read about the death of John O' Donohoe. I had met and heard him speak at several events in Ireland. He was one of the most gifted and inspirational speakers I have ever heard - a very sad loss with his heart warming approach to Celtic spirituality. A reminder of the transience of life......

Rodney