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'A book that displays all that's best about the Catholic faith'


'A book that displays all that's best about the Catholic faith'

Tears at Night - Joy at Dawn - the journal of Andrew Robinson, a young seminarian who died of cancer two years ago, was launched at the Foreign Press Association in London yesterday.

The book was introduced by Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Birmingham. Guests at the event included Fr Mark Crisp, Rector of Oscott Seminary, Fr Paul Watson, Director of the Maryvale Institute, Don McLean BBC radio presenter, Andrew Robinson's parents Stella and Clive; his brother and sister Richard and Maria; and Fr Michael Seed from Westminster Cathedral.

Archbishop Vincent said the book had "rare spiritual insight" and was "a book of profound and attractive human feelings."

He said: "I think it is a book that displays all that's best about the Catholic faith and its understanding of the drama between our human nature and the grace of heaven."

Describing how he met Andrew briefly at Oscott, and then got to know him better when his illness set in, the Archbishop said: "It was on an impulse that I suggested Andrew write a journal. It was just an impulse but he left us a treasure."

He said: "There are two themes that run through this book. The theme of Andrew's discerning of a call to be a priest and how that lead him down the road he recognised was the road of happiness. Secondly there's the theme of his struggle to learn to live with cancer and then to die of that cancer. Both those themes are dramatic. And both are so relevant to our world today.

"I am sure there are many calls to the priesthood that we simply miss. We're not attentive and responsive enough. This book will help us to be more attentive."

The Archbishop continued: "This is really the story of a young man growing closer to God; recognising God's call to him to be a priest and living it in an unexpected way through his sacrifice of himself in his illness."

He added: "It is also the story of his becoming wonderfully understanding of the profound healing that he experienced - a healing of his will to come forward and be one with the will of God. And all of it is described with such tenderness and such deep humanity.

"I think this book is a great tribute to young people and it gives older people a great insight into the sensitivities and the capacity which is in so many youngsters today.

"I hope this book will brings faith, consolation and courage to many."

Andrew's father Clive and his sister Maria spoke about the newly-established Andrew Robinson Young People's Trust, which provides trips and activities for inner city youngsters - one of Andrew's many projects. "He was always great fun to be around, full of energy and he loved working with children," Maria said. Royalties from the book will be going towards the charity.

In a cover tribute, Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor says: "reading this book was quite a remarkable and moving experience. It is filled with joy, hope, but above all faith in the love and providence of the Lord - everyone should read it."

Tears at Night, Joy at Dawn is £5.99 can be bought on-line through Amazon. It is also available in leading bookstores and can be purchased from Alive Publishing, Graphic House 124 City Road, Stoke on Trent, ST4 2PH.

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