FANORE - 16 January 2008 - 360 words
John
O'Donohue RIP
The funeral of the Irish philosopher and poet John O'Donohue took
place in Fanore, Co Clare, on Saturday. He died unexpectedly on
3 January after collapsing while on holiday near Avignon in France.
Dr O'Donoghue was buried in Craggagh graveyard after the funeral
Mass. He is survived by his mother, Josie, two brothers and a
sister. A memorial service will take place on 2 February in Galway
Cathedral.
The author of the best selling 'Anam Cara'
(Soul Friend), his other published works include 'Eternal Echoes',
'Divine Beauty', 'Echoes of Memory' and 'Conamara Blues'.. Just
last month, his latest work 'Beneductus' was published.
John O'Donohue first studied for the priesthood at Maynooth. He
went on to gain degrees in philosophy and English Literature.
He was awarded a PhD in philosophical theology from the University
of Tubingen. Combining parish work with lecturing, he rapidly
gained a reputation as a deeply spiritual and enlightening thinker.
In a review of his most recent work published earlier this week,
columnist Fr Kevin Hergarty said his books "are distinguished
by their philosophical underlay, his perception of human nature,
his awesome awareness of the power of landscape, his poetic intensity
and his profound integrity".
His close friend, the film-maker Lelia Doolan described John O'Donoghue
as "one of life's great spirits".
On the last cover of his last book, O'Donohue wrote:
'There is a quiet light
that shines in every heart.
Though it is always secretly there,
it draws no attention to itself.
It is what illuminates our
minds to see beauty, our desire to seek
possibility and our hearts
to love life...
This shy inner light is what enables
us to recognize and receive
our very presence here as blessing.'
For more information visit:
http://www.jodonohue.com/calendar/
http://anamchara.com/2008/01/05/john-odonohue-1954-2008/
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News 2008
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